Local, state and federal authorities in Florida first investigated Epstein for alleged sexual activity involving minors as early as 2005. Former President Trump has also acknowledged a long acquaintance with Epstein. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta resigned in 2019 after questions were raised about his role negotiating a federal non-prosecution deal for Jeffrey Epstein.
Some of his victims later claimed in civil lawsuits that Epstein instructed them to have sex with a who's-who of powerful men.Īccording to one suit filed in 2014, Epstein arranged sexual encounters for 'numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known Prime Minister, and other world leaders.' These troves of records do offer more details on a case that has drawn huge public attention and provide new, salacious allegations about these powerful men's behavior.įederal prosecutors say Epstein - who worked for decades as a private financier for a secretive list of wealthy clients - also operated an underage sex-trafficking ring based in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Fla.Įpstein allegedly developed a scheme to identify and exploit 'dozens' of vulnerable girls and young women, some as young as 14 years old, beginning around 1994 and continuing at least until 2004.
Britain's Prince Andrew, pictured in 2021, is listed as a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein.