Epstein and his enablers
Jeffrey Epstein's death in a jail suicide spared the wealthy financier from the possibility of decades in prison on a federal indictment that accused him of sexually trafficking girls as young as 14 in New York and Florida from 2002 to 2005.
It also deprived federal prosecutors in New York and the women who allege that Epstein sexually abused or raped them of their chief target for criminal and civil lawsuits.
Now the women, and possibly prosecutors, are examining potential court actions against other legal targets: the financier's ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell and several of his former associates. At least six women who accused Epstein of sexual abuse have already filed lawsuits against his estate and associates.
The multimillionaire businessman gained fame by moving in a social circle that included Britain's Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and a pre-presidency Donald Trump. Epstein also handled investments for L Brand retail titan Leslie Wexner and cultivated friendships with attorney Alan Dershowitz, hedge fund founder Glenn Dubin, top scientists, and others.