Netflix's latest docuseries, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, presented a shocking story of what went on in the case from many involved, including the defense and prosecution as well as the accusers.
Most people know the basics about the story that garnered worldwide attention given Epstein's billionaire status: he was charged with sex trafficking of minors but before a trial could commence, he was found dead of an apparent suicide in his cell. But so much more was revealed in the docuseries. Here's a look at the 10 biggest takeaways.
He Allegedly Had a Pyramid Scheme Going On
Pyramid schemes usually involve money and the sale of products. But according to accounts by many of the women, Epstein was running a sort of pyramid scheme that involved women and sexual favors.
Each time he would meet a new young woman, he would offer money for sexual favors as well as money for other women she brought in, and so on and so forth.
He Was First Accused Back in 1996
While everyone knows about the 2019 case as well as the 2005 raid on his home in Palm Beach, Florida, not many knew that there was actually a case brought against Epstein way back in the '90s.
A young woman as well as her younger sister reached out to the police and the FBI about accusations and spoke to a news reporter. But nothing ever really came of the case.
His Accusers Felt Better After Going To Court
Even though his accusers did not get true justice in the form of a trial, conviction, and restitution, they did find some solace in the fact that the judge still welcomed them to the courtroom to plead their cases.
Despite Epstein's being deceased, the judge still wanted the women to have the chance to tell their stories, which they did, one by one, as he listened intently. And many say it made a difference and helped bring them closure.
He Was Teaching Without A Degree
Despite being a well-liked physics and mathematics teacher at the exclusive private school Dalton School in Manhattan, Epstein didn't actually have a degree himself. Yet he managed to charm his way into the job anyway.
He was eventually dismissed from the position, though reportedly not for the discovery of that truth. It was there that he met Alan Greenberg, CEO of Bear Stearns, with whom he started working after leaving teaching.
He Worked On A Ponzi Scheme
After leaving Bear Stearns, Epstein took a job at Towers Financial Corporation, and CEO Steven Hoffenberg enthusiastically said Epstein very much appealed to them. He admitted to running a Ponzi Scheme at that time - he has since served time for the offense.
"He could deliver results in this criminal enterprise," Hoffenberg bluntly states. He claims that Epstein was committing the crimes alongside him "daily."
He Never "Really" Served His First Sentence
As noted, Epstein's home was raided in 2005 and it led to a 2008 conviction and a "13-month sentence for procuring an underage girl for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute." But the docuseries revealed that the majority of his year-long sentence was spent outside of his jail cell.
He managed to get a work release deal that was supposed to allow him to go to his office during the day and return to his cell at night. But a private investigator found evidence of him traveling all over, including even by plane, to other destinations, and his parole officer reportedly did nothing about it.
He and Ghislaine Maxwell Wanted A Child
Victoria Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers and a long-time employee of his, says that Epstein's girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell approached her once and told her that she and Epstein wanted to have a child together and they wanted Roberts to give birth to the child for them.
Taken aback, Roberts agreed under one condition: they help her get her masseuse certificate first. They sent her to Thailand so she could finish schooling and return. But she met a man, fell in love, got married, and called to say she wasn't coming back.
His Brother Ordered A Second Autopsy
After Epstein's death, many wondered how it could have been possible for him to have committed suicide in such a heavily guarded prison. No guards were around and the security cameras were apparently not working that night.
His brother wasn't buying it and had a second autopsy performed. Dr. Cyril Wecht claims that three fractures in Epstein's hyoid bone in his neck could not have occurred from suicide by jumping from a bunk bed.
Some Believe His Death Was Not A Suicide
As noted above, there are plenty of conspiracy theories about Epstein's death and whether it really was a suicide or not. The docuseries didn't really suggest anything either way. However, the miniseries did present opposing viewpoints discussing how difficult it could have been for him to commit suicide with so many guards around and the strange coincidence that the security cameras happened to not be working that specific night.
Epstein made a lot of friends but also knew a lot of powerful peoples' secrets. Is it possible it was murder? The docuseries presents views from both those who think it could be and those who feel people are simply creating drama where it doesn't exist.
His Case Was Originally Thrown Out
Despite having testimony from several accusers, many of whom agreed to testify on the stand, and presenting a detailed report to the FBI, Epstein's first major case was solved with a plea deal that happened without the accusers even knowing. The policewoman who had been handling the case even called some of the women crying at the injustice of it all.
While, as noted, Epstein was eventually convicted, it was only of lesser charges that led to the 13-month sentence and work release. Many, however, described the sentence as being like a business trip where he had to stay in a bad motel at nights.