Billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein is cooling his heels in jail on charges of sex trafficking minors. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock lately (and no one will blame you for that), Epstein is a reported billionaire with a taste for teenage girls – very young teenage girls. At this point, dozens of women have come forward with their lurid tales of how Epstein assaulted them. Les Wexner, the billionaire founder of The Limited and head of L Brands, which owns Victoria's Secret, was close friends with Epstein for decades. In light of the charges against Epstein, Wexner is understandably distancing himself from his former friend. But even as he seeks to disentangle the narrative around them, more and more stories about their personal and professional relationships keep coming to light. Wexner and Epstein met in 1988.
Sources close to Wexner reportedly told the New York Times that they were "mystified" as to why Wexner would trust Epstein, a college dropout with little financial experience. Epstein reportedly earned over $200 million from managing Wexner's wealth. In 1991, Wexner gave Epstein his power of attorney—meaning he had the "full power and authority to do and perform every act necessary" for Wexner. Epstein managed Wexner's money, oversaw the construction of his yacht, signed his tax returns, bought a $10 million plane, and acquired businesses.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Epstein reportedly posed as a talent recruiter for the Victoria's Secret catalog. He allegedly groped model Alicia Arden (a high school classmate of mine) in a hotel room in 1997. Arden went to the police and by doing so, created one of the earliest known records of Epstein's sexual assault of women and underage girls. Wexner once called Epstein "a most loyal friend," but recently said that he severed ties with Epstein more than a decade ago. In a letter to L Brands employees dated July 16, Wexner wrote that he was unaware of the "illegal activity" Epstein was charged with.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Jeffrey Epstein
- Relationship with Les Wexner
- Charges and Legal Issues
- Consequences of His Actions
- Summary of Events
Biography of Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein was born on January 20, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a middle-class family and attended Lafayette High School before moving on to Cooper Union and later transferring to New York University. However, Epstein never graduated from college and instead began working in finance, eventually becoming a successful financier.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey Edward Epstein |
| Date of Birth | January 20, 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York |
| Education | Cooper Union, New York University (did not graduate) |
| Occupation | Financier, Philanthropist |
| Date of Arrest | July 6, 2019 |
Relationship with Les Wexner
Les Wexner, the billionaire founder of L Brands, was one of Epstein's closest associates. Their relationship began in the late 1980s, and Wexner entrusted Epstein with significant responsibilities, including managing his finances and properties. This trust raised eyebrows, especially given Epstein's questionable background.
Wexner's decision to give Epstein power of attorney allowed Epstein to make financial decisions on his behalf, including buying a private jet and a yacht. As investigations into Epstein's activities unfolded, Wexner's connection to Epstein became a focal point, leading to public scrutiny and questions about how well Wexner understood Epstein's actions.
Charges and Legal Issues
Epstein faced multiple charges related to the sex trafficking of minors, with allegations spanning several years. This was not his first encounter with the law; he previously received a lenient plea deal in 2008, which allowed him to serve only 13 months in jail for similar charges. However, the current case against him is far more serious, with federal authorities uncovering significant evidence against him, including child pornography.
As the investigations progressed, Epstein's Manhattan mansion was raided, and authorities collected incriminating evidence that has bolstered the case against him. The public outcry has been immense, with many demanding justice for the victims.
Consequences of His Actions
The fallout from Epstein's actions has been monumental, affecting not just his life but also the lives of many others involved. His connections with influential figures have led to widespread discussions about power dynamics, abuse, and accountability. Additionally, several organizations, including L Brands, have taken steps to dissociate from him following the allegations.
The impact of Epstein's actions extends beyond legal consequences; it has ignited conversations about sexual abuse, trafficking, and the need for systemic change to protect vulnerable individuals.
Summary of Events
Jeffrey Epstein's life story is one of privilege marred by heinous crimes. From his rise in the financial world to his shocking arrest and subsequent charges of sex trafficking minors, his actions have left a stain on society. The connections he forged with influential personalities and how they responded to his actions continue to be scrutinized.
As his case unfolds, the hope remains that justice will be served, and that this will lead to broader discussions on the prevention of similar atrocities in the future. Epstein is currently being held without bail in Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center, awaiting trial.
