In the opulent shadows of his $50 million Manhattan townhouse, Jeffrey Epstein—once a college dropout turned Wall Street wizard—sipped champagne with billionaires like Les Wexner, whose fortune he masterminded into hundreds of millions in fees.T

Jeffrey Epstein’s trajectory from ambitious financier to notorious sex trafficker remains one of the most baffling falls in modern American history. Born in 1953 in Brooklyn, Epstein skipped grades and excelled in math but dropped out of college. In 1974, he landed a teaching job at the elite Dalton School in Manhattan, despite lacking a degree. There, his charisma impressed parents, including Bear Stearns executive Alan Greenberg, who hired him in 1976.

Epstein quickly rose at Bear Stearns, becoming a limited partner by 1980, specializing in options trading and tax strategies for wealthy clients. He left in 1981 to found his own firm, eventually managing billions—primarily for retail billionaire Leslie Wexner, who granted him power of attorney over vast assets. This relationship fueled Epstein’s fortune, estimated at over $500 million, affording private islands, jets, and mansions.

Yet, amid this success, Epstein’s predatory behavior escalated. By the early 2000s, he operated a systematic trafficking ring, primarily from 2002 to 2005. With accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, he targeted vulnerable underage girls—often from disadvantaged backgrounds—luring them with promises of money or modeling opportunities. Girls were recruited to his Palm Beach and New York homes under the guise of giving “massages,” which escalated to sexual abuse. Victims, some as young as 14, were paid hundreds of dollars and incentivized to bring friends, creating a pyramid-like network exploiting dozens.

Epstein’s wealth and connections enabled impunity for years. A 2008 plea deal in Florida—criticized as lenient—resulted in just 13 months served, mostly on work release. Federal charges in 2019 alleged a vast operation preying on vulnerability for personal gratification.

Psychologically, Epstein’s descent defies simple explanation: unchecked power, entitlement from elite circles, and possible compulsive behavior intertwined with his financial dominance. His 2019 suicide halted full accountability, but victim accounts reveal a calculated predato