Jeffrey Epstein’s Early Life, Career, and Network of Powerful Associates

CHAPTER 20 Jeffrey Epstein: 1953-1969 Jeffrey Epstein's mother, Paula, was the daughter of Max and Lena Stolofsky, who arrived in the United States as Lithua- nian refugees. Relatives on that side of the family who remained in the old country would all perish in the course of Adolf Hitler's campaign to exterminate European Jewry. Epstein's father, Seymour, was a manual laborer, like his father before him. Seymour's parents, Julius and Bessie Epstein, had emigrated from Russia and landed in Brooklyn, both of them with eighth-grade educations. They lived in Crown Heights, where Julius owned a house-wrecking company. Before landing a job with the city, Seymour had worked with his father. They were kind people, says Epstein's childhood friend Gary Grossberg. Seymour was there for him at a difficult time, Gross- berg says. When Grossberg was young, his parents divorced, and 89 JAMES PATTERSON his father moved out of Brooklyn. Seymour and Paula took Gary in. Often they referred to him as their third son. "Paula was a wonderful mother and homemaker," Grossberg remembers, "despite the fact that she had a full-time job." Epstein, as a kid, was "chubby, with curly hair and a high, `hee-hee' kind of laugh," Beverly Donatelli recalls.* Beverly was two years older than Epstein, but thanks to his precocious tal- ents, which allowed him to skip two grades, they graduated from Brooklyn's Lafayette High School together, in 1969. "He was advanced," Beverly remembers. "He tutored my girl- friend and myself in the summer. He taught me geometry in just two months." When Beverly thinks of Epstein now, she recalls gentler times— long strolls down the Coney Island boardwalk, roller-coaster rides, stolen kisses. "That last year in school, I think he kind of loved me," she says. "One night on the beach he kissed me. In fact, our history teacher made up a mock wedding invitation for Jeffrey and myself to show to the class. That seems pretty inappropriate now. But back t then, we all thought it was funny. Jews and the Italians, that was pretty much who went to Lafayette High School. They didn't social- ize that much. And though my mother was crazy about him, she told me Jewish boys don't marry Italians." Through the haze of several decades, Beverly remembers Epstein as a kindhearted boy and something of a prodigy—a gifted young pianist as well as a math whiz. "I was talking to my girlfriends the other day," she says. * Beverly Donatelli's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been changed. "There is nothing but r the reason I went to col Beverly lost contact after Epstein's fiftieth bi "He had a photo o noticed it at his birth& bet she has a big ass no. his home on 71st Stree the same Jeffrey. A gent The two never did s pathizes with her high "I feel so bad for I- liked him." Gary Grossberg was a y( class as Epstein's kid remains very friendly, t: frey in some time. Both "Jeffrey's a brilliant generous." Grossberg says he's Florida." As he sees it, was hanging around wit Grossberg wonders, cial contributed to his e, "He was a diamond it "People recognized Jeffr( gift for recognizing oppc FILTHY RICH ERSON 'Seymour and Paula took Gary their third son. "Paula was a iker," Grossberg remembers, [-time job." y, with curly hair and a high, Donate11i recalls.* Beverly was t thanks to his precocious tal- vo grades, they graduated from together, in 1969. :members. "He tutored my girl- He taught me geometry in just a now, she recalls gentler times — d boardwalk, roller-coaster rides, iool, I think he kind of loved me," . he kissed me. In fact, our history g invitation for Jeffrey and myself )retty inappropriate now. But back Ly. Jews and the Italians, that was .te High School. They didn't social- mother was crazy about him, she Italians." ral decades, Beverly remembers and something of a prodigy—a a math whiz. friends the other day," she says. fltifying details, and dialogue have been 90 "There is nothing but nice we can say about him. He is actually the reason I went to college." Beverly lost contact with Epstein over the years. But not long after Epstein's fiftieth birthday, she got a call out of the blue. "He had a photo of us on the beach," she says. "A friend noticed it at his birthday party. And Jeffrey said to the friend: 'I bet she has a big ass now.' So Jeffrey called me and invited me to his home on 71st Street. We hung out. We reminisced. He was the same Jeffrey. A gentleman." The two never did speak again, but to this day Beverly sym- pathizes with her high school sweetheart. "I feel so bad for him," Beverly says. "That's how much I liked him." Gary Grossberg was a year younger than Epstein and in the same class as Epstein's kid brother, Mark, with whom Grossberg remains very friendly, though he hasn't seen or spoken with Jef- frey in some time. Both brothers are good people, he says. "Jeffrey's a brilliant and good person. He is also incredibly generous." Grossberg says he's talked to Epstein about "the problem in Florida." As he sees it, Epstein "got carried away ... perhaps he was hanging around with the wrong people." Grossberg wonders, too, if the things that made Epstein spe- cial contributed to his eventual fall from grace. "He was a diamond in the rough, you see," Grossberg explains. "People recognized Jeffrey's brilliance very early on. But he had a gift for recognizing opportunities very quickly. He started buying 91 JAMES PATTERSON properties in Manhattan, including 301 East 66th Street. He asked his brother—did Mark want to join him? He did." Grossberg himself has had his ups and downs. At one point, he worked in a building owned by the Epstein brothers. There, he says, a porter told him a story about a little-known side of Jef- frey Epstein. The porter's wife, who lived in South America, des- perately needed an organ transplant. Epstein paid for the operation. "That's just typical," Grossberg says. "That's who he always was, long as I knew him." "Lafayette was a city school," says another old classmate, James Rosen. "It was functional. There was nothing special about it." James Rosen is a retired postal worker. He lives in South Florida now, but, like Jeffrey Epstein, he'd grown up in Sea Gate. "There was a lot of volatility at Lafayette," Rosen recalls. "It was a blue-collar area that was, at one time, 90 percent Italian. Then a small amount of Jews moved in, and there was anti-Semitism. The Italians didn't want the Jews to be there." Black families were moving in, too, he remembers, and His- panic ones. But he says most of the animosity was aimed at Jews. "There were fights in the schools. They thought we were going to take over." But Epstein seems to have made friends easily. Even then, his buddies—who called him Eppy— could see he was special. While they hung out on the beach, Epstein played the piano. Did homework. Worked on his prized stamp collection. Innocent times. 92 Jeffrey Epstein: 1.0 It's the height of ti lege administratol long hair collide I go in for any of that. math classes at Coop Village where Abraha Thanks to a gene) though the applicatio Epstein sails thro. At Harvard or Yal tawks like the Brookly than any Ivy League: aside from his prodig starts to make money he leaves Cooper Un ERSON rig 301 East 66th Street. He to join him? He did." ups and downs. At one point, y the Epstein brothers. There, bout a little-known side of Jef- .o lived in South America, des- splant. Epstein paid for the :g says. "That's who he always rs another old classmate, James was nothing special about it." ,stal worker. He lives in South tein, he'd grown up in Sea Gate. at Lafayette," Rosen recalls. "It at one time, 90 percent Italian. vs moved in, and there was et want the Jews to be there." in, too, he remembers, and His- the animosity was aimed at Jews. schools. They thought we were lade friends easily. Even then, his Ty— could see he was special. ich, Epstein played the piano. Did :ed stamp collection. 92 CHAPTER 21 Jeffrey Epstein: 1969-1976 It's the height of the Vietnam War. Students collide with col- lege administrators. Hippies collide with hard hats. Kids with long hair collide with their parents. Jeffrey Epstein does not go in for any of that. At the age of sixteen, he's taking advanced math classes at Cooper Union, an august institution in the East Village where Abraham Lincoln once spoke. Thanks to a generous endowment, the school is tuition-free, though the application process is famously rigorous. Epstein sails through it. At Harvard or Yale, his accent would give him away. Epstein tawks like the Brooklyn boy he is. But Cooper Union is more open than any Ivy League school. It's full of boys from Brooklyn, and, aside from his prodigious intellect, Epstein doesn't stand out. He starts to make money by tutoring his fellow students. And in 1971, he leaves Cooper Union for the greener pastures of New York 93 JAMES PATTERSON University of Missot; 1949. That same yea of rejections at whiti a Jew—landed a job clerk. By 1958, he'd be, Greenberg smoked c and always dressed : gruff, cheap, and, at bridge player, a hun loyal leader of the tf team made up most outer boroughs. Greenberg didn't What he cared abou. vated risk takers, ur (and especially low) were poor, smart, an Jeffrey Epstein, ti perfectly. University, located a few blocks away. There, at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, he studies the mathematical physiology of the heart. But he never graduates from any college or university. By 1973, Epstein is teaching at the Dalton School, a prestigious private school on the Upper East Side. Like Tavern on the Green, Grand Central Terminal, and the Century Association, Dalton is a New York institution—an elite K-12 rocket ship built for the children of New York's ruling classes. It's not at all clear how Epstein, who has no college degree, ends up there. And yet here he is, barely out of his teens and already a teacher of math and physics. "Go forth unafraid" is the Dalton School's credo. It's a philosophy Epstein has adopted. For him, Dalton's an excellent launching pad. It's nothing like Lafayette High School. The kids he's teach- ing are rich—very rich. Their parents are extremely well con- nected. And despite Epstein's outer-borough accent, he's careful in his presentation. At any given moment, he's one parent-teacher conference away from a whole new world of possibilities. Because Dalton has an excellent student-to-teacher ratio, the parents get to know Epstein quite well. Before long, a Wall Street macher named Alan "Ace" Greenberg has taken a special shine to the young man who's been tutoring his son Ted. Like Epstein, Ace Greenberg came from a humble background. The son of an Oklahoma City shopkeeper, he won a football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, transferred to the 94 • ERSON FILTHY RICH r. There, at the Courant Institute the mathematical physiology of m any college or university. Le Dalton School, a prestigious Ade. Like Tavern on the Green, Century Association, Dalton is K-12 rocket ship built for the 3ses. In, who has no college degree, his teens and already a teacher of aid" is the Dalton School's credo. ; adopted. For him, Dalton's an Lgh School. The kids he's teach- ?arents are extremely well con- 'ter-borough accent, he's careful moment, he's one parent-teacher ew world of possibilities. lent student-to-teacher ratio, the te well. Before long, a Wall Street iberg has taken a special shine to ring his son Ted. .me from a humble background. ity shopkeeper, he won a football of Oklahoma, transferred to the 94 University of Missouri following a back injury, and graduated in 1949. That same year, he moved to New York and, after a series of rejections at white-shoe firms—places that never would hire a Jew—landed a job at Bear Stearns, earning $32.50 a week as a clerk. By 1958, he'd been made a full partner. Built like a pit bull, Greenberg smoked cigars, performed coin tricks for his friends, and always dressed in a bow tie. He was an all-elbows trader — gruff, cheap, and, above all, impatient. He was also a champion bridge player, a hunter of big game in Africa, and the firm but loyal leader of the team he'd built at Bear Stearns—an unusual team made up mostly of men who'd grown up in New York's outer boroughs. Greenberg didn't care about MBAs or Ivy League diplomas. What he cared about was raw talent and drive. Greenberg culti- vated risk takers, unconventional thinkers, and he looked high (and especially low) for his "PSDs": men who, in his estimation, were poor, smart, and, above all, determined. Jeffrey Epstein, the Dalton School teacher, fit Greenberg's bill perfectly. 95 women to go with the brunettes, who would day. Now they found E Greenberg's gorgec If Greenberg knew Then again, Greenberl gan era, when deregu the horizon. But there ernment oversight on V traders had begun to of the age of corporate out for him, Epstein ing his weight arounc numbers earned him where he worked on e) a select group of Be within the elite—inch In the spring of 19 St. Joe Minerals Cori share, or close to thr( whole offer amounted But St. Joe's execut company. In a press n ited and dismissed it a: SEC decided to invesq There were allegatic Bear Stearns's employe Epstein got called wrongdoing. But, as it turned ou CHAPTER 22 Jeffrey Epstein: 1976-1981 According to several published reports, it was Ace Green- berg's son, Ted, who introduced Epstein to Greenberg. But other sources say Greenberg's daughter, Lynne, was dating Epstein at the time. According to them, that was how Epstein got into Bear Stearns—by charming a young and beau- tiful woman and using her to advance his career. At Bear Stearns, Epstein started as an assistant to a trader on the American Stock Exchange and quickly worked up to junior partner, which meant that he was entitled to a share of the prof- its. Still in his twenties, he was running with the bulls, kicking down any doors that stood in his way. The view from Ace Greenberg's office, high above Madison Avenue in midtown, was striking. At night, the whole city was lit up like a stage set. It was Epstein's city now, to win or to lose. And there were 96 FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 22 Lshed reports, it was Ace Green- troduced Epstein to Greenberg. reenberg's daughter, Lynne, was :cording to them, that was how -by charming a young and beau- ivance his career. rted as an assistant to a trader on and quickly worked up to junior vas entitled to a share of the prof- running with the bulls, kicking Us way. perg's office, high above Madison ng. At night, the whole city was lit to win or to lose. And there were 96 women to go with the prize. Tall, beautiful women, blondes and brunettes, who wouldn't have given a math teacher the time of day. Now they found Epstein exciting and handsome. Greenberg's gorgeous assistant was one of these women. If Greenberg knew about their affair, he did not seem to care. Then again, Greenberg had other things on his mind. The Rea- gan era, when deregulation kicked into high gear, was still on the horizon. But there was already a decreasing amount of gov- ernment oversight on Wall Street, and a new breed of bare-knuckle traders had begun to push every available limit. It was the start of the age of corporate raiders, and with Ace Greenberg looking out for him, Epstein had no reservations when it came to throw- ing his weight around. The golden boy's gift for working the numbers earned him a place in the special-products division, where he worked on extremely complex tax-related problems for a select group of Bear Stearns's wealthiest clients—an elite within the elite—including Seagram CEO Edgar Bronfman. In the spring of 1981 Bronfman made a bid to take over the St. Joe Minerals Corporation. He offered forty-five dollars a share, or close to three times the value of St. Joe's stock. The whole offer amounted to $2.1 billion in cash. But St. Joe's executives didn't want to sell their 118-year-old company. In a press release, they called Seagram's bid unsolic- ited and dismissed it as "grossly inadequate." At which point the SEC decided to investigate. There were allegations of insider trading. Within a few weeks, Bear Stearns's employees were called in to testify. Epstein got called in as well and categorically denied any wrongdoing. But, as it turned out, he'd just resigned from Bear Stearns. 97 Another one of Epst say, "Jeffrey Epstein left to strike out on his owi some questions remain given on April 1, 1981, 1 and Robert Blackburn: Q: Sir, are you aware ti lating around your f leaving the firm? A: I'm aware that there Q: What rumors have y A: Nothing to do with ! Q: Can you relate what A: It was having to do As far as the investigat. don; the first time a seci no interest in Epstein's Q: CHAPTER 23 Jeffrey Epstein: 1981' Epstein will always maintain that his resignation had noth- ing to do with the SEC's investigation into Bear Stearns and Edgar Bronfman's ill-fated attempt to take over St. Joe's. But of course this raises the question: Why did Epstein resign from Bear Stearns? In his testimony before the SEC, Epstein says he was offended by the company's investigation of a twenty-thousand-dollar loan he'd made to his friend Warren Eisenstein. Epstein didn't know it at the time, he maintains, but if used to buy stock, such a loan might have been unethical, if not illegal. On top of that, questions about Epstein's expenses had come up. In the end, Bear Stearns fined him $2,500 —an embarrassing thing, to be sure. So much for making full partner anytime soon. But $2,500 is not $250,000 or even $25,000. Who'd give up a job as junior partner over that? 98 Mr. Epstein, did an substance that you s Minerals to the stal mission? Has anyoi directly or indireca pensation for this p; you from Bear Stee divulging informat Commission? FILTHY RICH Another one of Epstein's bosses, James "Jimmy" Cayne, will say, "Jeffrey Epstein left Bear of his own volition." Epstein wanted to strike out on his own, Cayne explains. But given the timing, some questions remain. Then there's Epstein's own testimony, given on April 1, 1981, before SEC investigators Jonathan Harris and Robert Blackburn: CHAPTER 23 .n that his resignation had noth- ivestigation into Bear Stearns and attempt to take over St. Joe's. question: Why did Epstein resign ;EC, Epstein says he was offended of a twenty-thousand-dollar loan Eisenstein. Epstein didn't know t if used to buy stock, such a loan .ot illegal. out Epstein's expenses had come up. . ed him $2,500—an embarrassing laking full partner anytime soon. or even $25,000. Who'd give up a 98 Q: Sir, are you aware that certain rumors may have been circu- lating around your firm in connection with your reasons for leaving the firm? A: I'm aware that there were many rumors. Q: What rumors have you heard? A: Nothing to do with St. Joe. Q: Can you relate what you heard? A: It was having to do with an illicit affair with a secretary. As far as the investigators are concerned, this is new informa- tion; the first time a secretary's name has come up. But they have no interest in Epstein's office romance and press on: Q: Mr. Epstein, did anyone at Bear Stearns tell you in words or substance that you should not divulge anything about St. Joe Minerals to the staff of the Securities and Exchange Com- mission? Has anyone indicated to you in any way, either directly or indirectly, in words or substance, that your com- pensation for this past year or any future monies coming to you from Bear Stearns will be contingent upon your not divulging information to the Securities and Exchange Commission? A: No. 99 JAMES PATTERSON Whatever the reasons for his resignation, Epstein still gets his annual bonus of around $100,000 (roughly $275,000 in today's dollars). The SEC never brings charges against him or any other Bear Stearns employee. And so the particulars of Epstein's depar- ture get folded up into the greater mystery surrounding the man. Did Epstein crash the rocket ship that Ace Greenberg had given him to pilot? Or did he take it and fly it out, over the horizon? Either way, Epstein was out on his own. For him, the future would only get brighter. Ana ObregO na Obrt A and wel ishe firsi roles—in the the star a run: Spanish Playbc As for forti Ana's fathe had serious pr bond-trading fi that it was goir off a subsidian And in May, DI owed on Treast had dragged do 100 TERSON signation, Epstein still gets his )0 (roughly $275,000 in today's harges against him or any other le particulars of Epstein's depar- r mystery surrounding the man. Lp that Ace Greenberg had given -id fly it out, over the horizon? on his own. nly get brighter. Ana Obregin: 1982 CHAPTER 24 na ObregOn was one of the world's most beautiful women and well on her way to becoming famous as such when she first met Jeffrey Epstein. For her, there would be film roles—in the 1984 Bo Derek vehicle Bolero, Ana Obregon gives the star a run for her money—and appearances on the covers of Spanish Playboy and Spanish Vanity Fair. As for fortune, Obregon had that already. Ana's father was a very wealthy investor in Spain. But he also had serious problems. On June 15, 1982, a venerable stock- and bond-trading firm, the Drysdale Securities Corporation, announced that it was going out of business. Just that year, Drysdale had spun off a subsidiary operation called Drysdale Government Securities. And in May, DGS defaulted on $160 million in interest payments it owed on Treasury securities that it had borrowed. In doing so, DGS had dragged down its parent company. 101 100 JAMES PATTERSON A very well-connected group of Spanish families—including members of Spain's royal family—had invested with Drysdale. Those investors stood to lose hundreds of millions of dollars. And Ana's father was one of those investors. What Ana wanted from Jeffrey Epstein was help in recover- ing her father's money. "My father, he's done something stupid," she told him. A Spanish accent. A Brooklyn accent. They blended well together, and Ana was so very lovely. It turned out that Epstein was willing to help. "Something stupid, you see, with the money. The family money. Some—what do you call it? A scheme. He knew some of the people, but they lied to him. And now the money is gone." People who knew Jeffrey Epstein recall that he was bad off after his exit or ouster—whatever it was—from Bear Stearns. Mov- ing from couch to couch for a while. Sleeping in his lawyer's offices before settling down in an apartment in the Solow Tower, on East 66th Street. It's a bit hard to believe. After all, Epstein left Bear Stearns with a good deal of money. But Epstein's lifestyle was expensive. He was a man on the make then, and Ana was still in her twen- ties, plying her craft at the Actors Studio—the New York City theater institution that Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, and Jane Fonda had all been members of. Epstein told Ana that he'd formed a company, International Assets Group. To Ana, this sounded very impressive. In fact, IAG was a small operation that Epstein was running out of his apartment. 102 But if Ana had already see tIN maintain that who helped SE women he'd cu whole other kir Ones that n Andrew Levan( District of Nev% Force. He was a he was build in of Drysdale ex Epstein bringir Epstein came tc The woman Levander to lawyer named F himself, was as! hunt for the mo In effect, DC deadfalls. And I pany were less to the US attori had violated t1-. investments. This was w discretion— cat Ana Obregoi FILTHY RICH TERSON )f Spanish families _including —had invested with Drysdale. mdreds of millions of dollars. investors. ey Epstein was help in recover- ing stupid," she told him. lyn accent. They blended well .vely. Is willing to help. e, with the money. The family Ll it? A scheme. He knew some of . And now the money is gone." in recall that he was bad off after it was—from Bear Stearns. Mov- a while. Sleeping in his lawyer's an apartment in the Solow Tower, fter all, Epstein left Bear Stearns Epstein's lifestyle was expensive. Len, and Ana was still in her twen- ctors Studio — the New York City on Brando, Robert De Niro, Jack td all been members of. formed a company, International !.ry impressive. In fact, IAG was a was running out of his apartment. 102 But if Ana had known that, would she have cared? She could already see that Epstein was brilliant. And though she would maintain that their friendship was strictly platonic, it was Ana who helped set Epstein on his course. Like other beautiful women he'd cultivate throughout his life, she opened doors to whole other kingdoms. Ones that no boys from Brooklyn had even dreamed of. Andrew Levander was an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York's Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. He was assigned to look into Drysdale's collapse. The case he was building would result in fraud convictions for a number of Drysdale executives, and even today, Levander remembers Epstein bringing "a very attractive woman" to meet him when Epstein came to him in the course of the investigation. The woman was Ana Obregon. Levander told Ana that he was already working the case. A lawyer named Robert Gold, who was a former federal prosecutor himself, was assisting. And now Epstein would join them in the hunt for the monies. In effect, DGS had built a series of labyrinths, rabbit holes, deadfalls. And even investors who'd lost vast sums to the com- pany were less than forthcoming when it came to speaking to the US attorney. Several of the investors were foreign. Some had violated their own countries' laws pertaining to foreign investments. This was where Epstein—with his calm, confident air of discretion —came in. Ana ObregOn gave Epstein power of attorney over any monies 103 JAMES PATTERSON that he recovered. And though it took him three years, working with Robert Gold and the US attorney's office, Epstein finally did make his way to the center of DGS's maze and recover ObregOn's money. Most of it was being held in a bank in the Cayman Islands. Epstein's agreement with Ana prevents us from knowing how much he recovered—and how much he kept. But given the amounts at stake, Epstein likely earned millions— or more— and to this day Ana ObregOn has nothing but appreciation for what Epstein accomplished. "I know he's had some problems," she says. "I don't want any- thing to do with that." As for Epstein, he came out of the deal with a new modus operandi: from now on, he'd only work with the super rich. 104 Eva Andersson: iss Swed( zling whi the stage winner of this, the Seoul, South Korea "And now that see which five girls Barker pauses, tightens. There are I even if they're not ( "On this card received the highe5 interview, the swin Eva feels the standing in betwee. TERSON took him three years, working irney's office, Epstein finally did ;S's maze and recover ObregOn's . bank in the Cayman Islands. na prevents us from knowing low much he kept. But given the y earned millions—or more — Las nothing but appreciation for ems," she says. "I don't want any- •t of the deal with a new modus Eva Andersson: July 8, 1980 ly work with the super rich. .1, 104 CHAPTER 25 Miss Sweden, Eva Birgitta Andersson, is wearing a daz- zling white gown and sweating, ever so slightly, under the stage lights. But Bob Barker's about to announce the winner of this, the twenty-ninth Miss Universe pageant, held in Seoul, South Korea, and Eva's smile is as wide as the ocean. "And now that we know what Miss Universe will win, let's see which five girls are still in the running!" Barker pauses, like the expert broadcaster he is. Eva's chest tightens. There are twelve women onstage, all of them beautiful— even if they're not quite as beautiful as Miss Sweden. "On this card are the names of five contestants who have received the highest total score from our judges in the personal interview, the swimsuit, and the evening gown competition." Eva feels the camera pan across the stage—pan across her, standing in between Miss Scotland and Miss Puerto Rico. 105 JAMES PATTERSON Why didn't any of always someone more corner. Perhaps none c urges. But he did have 2 by his side through tl: with them. When he was thro say, they graduated up status of "lover" to "fric In his estimation, th The world was ful friendship seemed to 13( "As a result, they will be our five finalists. As I call each name, you will see a figure on your television screen. That is the total score received by the contestant since she became a semifinalist. But one thing I would point out to you: the point total is not necessarily a sign of who our eventual winner will be. Being first now is no guarantee of being first at the time of our judges' final ballot." Oh, get on with it, Miss Sweden thinks. And, as if by her com- mand, Bob Barker does. "Now our five finalists. Good luck, girls! The first finalist is: Miss Sweden!" Eva's hands fly up to her face. The time it takes her to walk to the front of the stage is all the time she needs to stop herself from crying. For Eva, it's not meant to be. Miss USA, Shawn Weatherly, wins that year's competition—she'll go on to become a star on Bay- watch. But Eva's future is secure nonetheless. After the pageant, she'll spend three years studying in Stockholm, finish med school at UCLA, and become a doctor of internal medicine. Along the way, she'll meet Jeffrey Epstein. People who knew them when they were a couple say that Eva wanted to marry Epstein. One friend says he considered it seri- ously. In the end, Eva ended up with a man named Glenn Dubin, though she and Epstein remained very close. And if Eva was the proverbial "one who got away," Epstein ended up dating othe impressive women—world-class beauties—as he made .his way in the world. 106 FILTHY RICH TERSON ye finalists. As I call each name, :vision screen. That is the total ;ince she became a semifinalist. t to you: the point total is not ntual winner will be. Being first ;t at the time of our judges' final :n thinks. And, as if by her corn- d luck, girls! The first finalist is: The time it takes her to walk to me she needs to stop herself from iiss USA, Shawn Weatherly, wins 1 go on to become a star on Bay- re nonetheless. After the pageant, lying in Stockholm, finish med doctor of internal medicine. Jeffrey Epstein. ten they were a couple say that Eva e friend says he considered it seri- p with a man named Glenn Dubin, ined very close. And if Eva was the ty," Epstein ended up dating other lass beauties—as he made his way 106 Why didn't any of the romances take? Perhaps there was always someone more fabulous waiting for Epstein around the corner. Perhaps none of these women satisfied Epstein's deeper urges. But he did have a knack for keeping the women he'd dated by his side through thick and thin, long after he'd broken up with them. When he was through with his girlfriends, Epstein would say, they graduated up, not down, the ladder, moving from the status of "lover" to "friend." In his estimation, these shifts always constituted a promotion. The world was full of beautiful women. But for Epstein, friendship seemed to be a far more precious commodity. 107 Pay me fifty million c1( amount. At first Epstein did nc asked that the payment — escrow. If his strategy we bounced back to the client In the eighties, when much, much higher than 50 percent, it was an ext] were other ways to make In 1982, Epstein sold his relatives, and others on an Michael Stroll, had run M company known for the 131 Stroll put $450,000 int But in 1984, Michael repeated demands and r€ Epstein owed him, he got ment. Eventually he sued] ing 5440,000—the case Epstein told the judge tha ally the payment for a hop Like many cases invol of court, the terms of the f CHAPTER 26 Jeffrey Epstein: 1984 , ow did Jeffrey Epstein make all his money? Epstein would tell stories over the years about mon- ies recovered from slippery characters. Sometimes, friends and former associates would say, he'd suggest he had ties to the government, giving listeners the impression that he was doing dangerous, glamorous work. Others said that what Epstein really did, at this stage in his career, was much more banal. According to them, Epstein spent most of his time coming up with creative new ways for the rich to avoid paying taxes. The commission for tax-avoidance deals was enormous, although the number of deals Epstein was involved with is a matter of conjecture, as is his record of successes and But Epstein's business model was evolving. He'd charge a fla failures. fee. No fancy math. No percentages. 108 FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 26 lake all his money? tories over the years about mon- ny characters. Sometimes, friends iy, he'd suggest he had ties to the rie impression that he was doing em n really did, at this stage in his According to them, Epstein spent ith creative new ways for the rich mmission for tax-avoidance deals Lmber of deals Epstein was involved , as is his record of successes and del was evolving. He'd charge a flat: itages. 108 Pay me fifty million dollars. Or pay the IRS seven times that amount. At first Epstein did not demand his fee up front. Instead he asked that the payment—often a substantial one—be put into escrow. If his strategy worked, he'd get paid. If not, the money bounced back to the client. In the eighties, when tax rates on the top 1 percent were much, much higher than they are today, topping out at close to 50 percent, it was an extremely effective pitch. And then there were other ways to make money. In 1982, Epstein sold his wealthy friends, his friends' wealthy relatives, and others on an oil-drilling deal. One of the investors, Michael Stroll, had run Williams Electronics, an entertainment company known for the pinball machines it made. Stroll put $450,000 into the oil deal. But in 1984, Michael Stroll wanted his money back. Despite repeated demands and requests for a full accounting of what Epstein owed him, he got $10,000 back on his $450,000 invest- ment. Eventually he sued Epstein in federal court for the remain- ing $440,000—the case went on for a number of years. In court, Epstein told the judge that the $10,000 he'd returned was actu- ally the payment for a horse Stroll had sold him. Like many cases involving Epstein, this one was settled out of court, the terms of the final agreement kept secret. 109 CHAPTER 27 Steven Hoffenberg: July 10, 1987 efore there was Bernie Madoff, there was Steven Hoffenberg. BIn 1987, Hoffenberg was the head of Towers Financial Corporation, a company that bought debts, such as unpaid medical bills, at a very steep discount while pressing the debtors to repay in full. He'd started the company fifteen years earlier with two thousand dollars and just a handful of employees. Thanks, in part, to a grueling work ethic, he'd turned that into a much bigger concern, with twelve hundred employees and stock that traded over the counter. But Hoffenberg still spent fifteen hours each day, six days a week, in his office. He wanted more. Hoffenberg was a Wall Street outsider. A Brooklyn boy. A college dropout, like Epstein. One thing Hoffenberg wanted was respect. The other was someone who was familiar with Wall Street's inner workings. Jef- frey Epstein, who had traded options for Bear Stearns, fit the bill. 110 Hoffenberg began pa month for Epstein's exper The SEC had already ding with him out of cou securities. But Hoffenberg In the 1980s, several n the greenmailing of pub mailing means, in practio investors will start buyin vulnerable to takeover att utives at those companies It's risky, but very often tt profit. Yet another thing Hof American World Airways. its downward trajectory, t For Hoffenberg, the huge. According to Hoffenberg, over of Pan Am—a deal tl Steven Hoffenberg stil listening to him, one mus guilty to criminal conspit million swindle, a famili2 Bernie Madoff case. Like so many others, without the necessary u: Spent at the office, he'd als FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 27 1987 [off, there was Steven Hoffenberg. ras the head of Towers Financial hat bought debts, such as unpaid scount while pressing the debtors the company fifteen years earlier nd just a handful of employees. work ethic, he'd turned that into a elve hundred employees and stock But Hoffenberg still spent fifteen in his office. )erg was a Wall Street outsider. A jut, like Epstein. anted was respect. The other was .th Wall Street's inner workings. jef- Dptions for Bear Stearns, fit the bill. 110 Hoffenberg began paying twenty-five thousand dollars per month for Epstein's expertise as a consultant. The SEC had already looked into Hoffenberg's affairs, set- tling with him out of court in a matter relating to unregistered securities. But Hoffenberg was dangling a very big prize. In the 1980s, several major financial players were involved in the greenmailing of publicly traded companies. What green- mailing means, in practice, is that a brokerage house or group of investors will start buying shares in companies that seem to be vulnerable to takeover attempts. To ward off the attempts, exec- utives at those companies will buy the shares back at a premium. It's risky, but very often the investors stand to make a handsome profit. Yet another thing Hoffenberg wanted was to take over Pan American World Airways. The iconic airline had already entered its downward trajectory, but it was still a giant. For Hoffenberg, the greenmailing profits could have been huge. According to Hoffenberg, Epstein handled the attempted take- over of Pan Am—a deal that went sideways almost immediately. Steven Hoffenberg still has a lot to say on the subject. But in listening to him, one must bear in mind that in 1995, he pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and fraud charges involving a $460 million swindle, a familiar scheme to anyone who followed the Bernie Madoff case. Like so many others, Hoffenberg had tried to fly very high Without the necessary updraft. And despite all the hours he ,spent at the office, he'd also developed a taste for the high life. He 111 JAMES PATTERSON bought his own jet, a luxury yacht, and a Long Island mansion to go with his expensive Manhattan apartment. He'd also briefly owned a controlling interest in the New York Post. To cover his tracks, Hoffenberg had been taking money from investors and using it to pay previous investors. It was a classic Ponzi scheme—one of the biggest in history—and Hoffenberg ended up spending nineteen years in a federal prison. Why was Epstein not implicated in the case? All that Hoffen- berg will say when asked is: "Ask Robert Gold." Another source suggests that Gold, the former federal prose- cutor who had helped Epstein recover Ana Obregon's money, kept the US attorney away from Epstein until there were only a few weeks left before the statute of limitations ran out. As for Epstein himself, he would always deny any wrong- doing. Despite his proximity to Hoffenberg, he managed to avoid the blast radius. 1 112 Robert Meister: 1985 Robert Meister, the vic( kerage and consulting in the mid-eighties, Palm Beach. Both men were the other looked familiar. Th and Meister filed the conven At that time, Les Wexner, w of Meister's insurance comp the people managing his mo Wexner was a billionaire were in a tangle. Maybe Epst would also be grateful for the there's evidence to suggest th his last Bear Stearns bonus— recovered for Ana ObregOn— T ER S ON ht, and a Long Island mansion tan apartment. He'd also briefly ie New York Post. rg had been taking money from vious investors. It was a classic .tst in history—and Hoffenberg Ts in a federal prison. tted in the case? All that Hoffen- ( Robert Gold." t Gold, the former federal prose- recover Ana ObregOn's money, t Epstein until there were only a : of limitations ran out. would always deny any wrong- Hoffenberg, he managed to avoid 112 CHAPTER 28 Robert Meister: 1985 obert Meister, the vice chairman of a giant insurance bro- kerage and consulting firm called Aon, met Jeffrey Epstein in the mid-eighties, aboard a flight from New York to Palm Beach. Both men were flying first class. Each one thought the other looked familiar. They talked in the course of that flight, and Meister filed the conversation away, only to recall it in 1989. At that time, Les Wexner, who was Meister's friend and a client of Meister's insurance company, was complaining to him about the people managing his money. Wexner was a billionaire, but for all his wealth, his finances were in a tangle. Maybe Epstein could help. And perhaps Epstein would also be grateful for the introduction. Hard as it is to believe, there's evidence to suggest that Epstein really had spent the last of his last Bear Stearns bonus—along with his share of the money he'd recovered for Ana ObregOn—and was broke, again, at the time. 113 JAMES PATTERSON One estranged friend says that he had to loan Epstein money to pay the bill at Epstein's garage, which had seized Epstein's car for nonpayment. Another estranged friend says that Epstein didn't have two nickels to rub together. Diana Crane, a former model, says that Epstein always had first-class upgrades he would give to his friends so they didn't have to fly economy class. "No one knew where or how he got them," Crane recalls. "Sometimes they worked, and other times they didn't. I remem- ber he saw a friend of mine wearing a Concorde jacket. He asked if he could borrow it for a day or so. My friend never got the jacket back. But Epstein would tell people he always flew on the Concorde — a total lie." But even if Epstein were flush, Les Wexner would have been a big fish to catch. From the get-go, Meister's wife, Wendy, had her suspicions about Epstein. About the way he presented himself and the way he worked himself into their inner circle. Before long, Wendy was calling Epstein the virus. But for Epstein, the Meisters weren't the point. Wexner was. And hard as it is to understand why the billionaire would associate with a man who'd worked with a Ponzi king like Steven Hoffenberg, it turned out that Wexner and Epstein would get along perfectly well. 114 Ghislaine Maxwell Robert Meister v Epstein, the bc social ladder. T heiress from the Unite of the world's most gla- Maxwell was the : the most famous— ev Robert Maxwell, was 'French Foreign Legioi had gone on to becon e'd become a media irth name was Jan L d in disgrace in 19 e of his supersize y "The shtetl Solon ERSON he had to loan Epstein money which had seized Epstein's car 3 that Epstein didn't have two , says that Epstein always had re to his friends so they didn't v he got them," Crane recalls. her times they didn't. I remem- Lng a Concorde jacket. He asked or so. My friend never got the ell people he always flew on the h, Les Wexner would have been vife, Wendy, had her suspicions e presented himself and the way ner circle. .ing Epstein the virus. 3 weren't the point. Wexner was. stand why the billionaire would :ked with a Ponzi king like Steven Wexner and Epstein would get 114 CHAPTER 29 Ghislaine Maxwell: 1991 Robert Meister was not the only friend who helped Jeffrey Epstein, the boy from Coney Island, on his way up the social ladder. There was also Ghislaine Maxwell, a wealthy heiress from the United Kingdom who'd retained her ties to some of the world's most glamorous and scandalous jet-setters. Maxwell was the youngest and most favored child of one of the most famous—even infamous —men in Europe. Her father, Robert Maxwell, was a Czech refugee who had fought in the French Foreign Legion and with the British in World War II and had gone on to become a member of Parliament. By the 1960s, he'd become a media baron. Born into a Hasidic family—his birth name was Jan Ludvik Hyman Binyamin Hoch—Maxwell died in disgrace in 1991 after falling or perhaps jumping off the side of his supersize yacht, the Lady Ghislaine. ,, .. The shtetl Solotvyno, where I come from, it is no more," 115 JAMES PATTERSON Maxwell said a few months before his demise. "It was poor. It was Orthodox. And it was Jewish. We were very poor. We didn't have things that other people had. They had shoes, they had food, and we didn't. At the end of the war, I discovered the fate of my parents and my sisters and brothers, relatives, and neighbors. I don't know what went through their minds as they realized that they'd been tricked into a gas chamber." Maxwell's own death was followed by an international scan- dal. It turned out that he'd stolen hundreds of millions of pounds from his companies' pension funds and used them to prop up his empire. Two of his sons were tried for conspiracy to commit fraud and ultimately exonerated. But Ghislaine, who had grown up in luxurious surroundings and counted the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, among her intimates, could not escape the dark shadow her father had cast. Looking to start fresh, she took the Concorde to New York City. At first, it seems, Maxwell and Epstein were lovers. "She was madly in love with Jeffrey," says a longtime friend of Ghislaine's. Then they became something more. Ghislaine took care of Epstein's travel arrangements. She managed his household and opened doors that very few Brooklyn-born Jewish boys could have passed through. According to lawsuits and witness testi- mony, she also became one of several women who procured young girls for Epstein. She was not jealous, according to people who knew her back then. If anything, Ghislaine seemed to take pleasure in satisfy- ing Epstein's needs. Ghislaine introduced Epstein to a fabulous world that the 116 Brooklyn boy knew no taught Epstein the differ' But despite—or was ii Epstein, she, too, grach According to Jane Doe filed in 2009 by a womat of the services Maxwell ment of underage worn. papers, Maxwell has ye. Virginia, with any othe with, or with any criminl In a 2016 answer to a c Maxwell called the allep The case of Nadia B. first noticed by Epstein, in the eyes of her mothet Bjorlin's Iranian-bon years ago about her famil and Epstein. Bjorlin's fat music, had died a year this made the girl a vuln "She was at school a. Michigan, when she met "My daughter was a 5 little girl, not mature for thought she was nine or • "Epstein was a big dc her father had died, so St He said, 'Here's my numt "He kept saying, `Cor ERSON FILTHY RICH -e his demise. "It was poor. It We were very poor. We didn't id. They had shoes, they had the war, I discovered the fate of )thers, relatives, and neighbors. their minds as they realized ; chamber." owed by an international scan- hundreds of millions of pounds Is and used them to prop up his ried for conspiracy to commit . But Ghislaine, who had grown md counted the Duke of York, lates, could not escape the dark king to start fresh, she took the L Epstein were lovers. "She was a longtime friend of Ghislaine's. , more. Ghislaine took care of She managed his household and rooklyn-born Jewish boys could lg to lawsuits and witness testi- )f several women who procured .ing to people who knew her back :emed to take pleasure in satisfy ein to a fabulous world that the 116 Brooklyn boy knew nothing about. One friend jokes that she taught Epstein the difference between a fish fork and a salad fork. But despite—or was it because of? —Maxwell's devotion to Epstein, she, too, graduated from girlfriend to friend status. According to Jane Doe 102 vs. Jeffrey Epstein, a civil complaint filed in 2009 by a woman later identified as [REDACTED], one of the services Maxwell provided for Epstein was the procure- ment of underage women. (Through her lawyer and in court papers, Maxwell has vehemently denied any involvement with Virginia, with any other young woman Epstein was involved with, or with any criminal activities committed by Jeffrey Epstein. In a 2016 answer to a defamation lawsuit brought by Roberts, Maxwell called the allegations fabricated for financial gain.) The case of [REDACTED], who was thirteen when she was first noticed by Epstein, raises questions in this regard, at least in the eyes of her mother. Bjorlin's Iranian-born mother spoke to a British tabloid some years ago about her family's disturbing experience with Maxwell and Epstein. Bjorlin's father, a celebrated conductor of classical music, had died a year earlier, the mother said. She believed that this made the girl a vulnerable and easy target. "She was at school at the famed Interlochen Arts Center, in Michigan, when she met Epstein," the mother said. "My daughter was a singer. She was a baby. She was a skinny little girl, not mature for her age. She was thirteen, but everyone thought she was nine or ten. "Epstein was a big donor, and he heard about Nadia and that her father had died, so she was vulnerable, and he contacted her. He said, 'Here's my number.' "He kept saying, 'Come—will you come?' He said he wanted 117 JAMES PATTERSON to help mentor her. I wouldn't let her meet him. What sort of a man approaches a young girl and asks to meet her?" In the meantime, •Maxwell had become friendly with the family. "I trusted Ghislaine; she was like a mother," Bjorlin's mother recalled. "She was always calling my house. "Ghislaine didn't want me to meet Epstein, but I did anyway, and I asked what he wanted with Nadia. He said he wanted to help her singing career. He said, 'I'd like to be like a godfather.' It felt creepy. "I had a bad vibe about him and said, 'Stop!' I told him, 'No, thank you. She doesn't need your help.' I kept Nadia away from him. She never met him alone. She never went anywhere with him." Despite her suspicions, it took Epstein's arrest to make Bjor- lin's mother wonder whether Maxwell and Epstein hadn't been sizing her daughter up for his stable of underage women. 118 Leslie Wexner: 19.' Leslie Wexner, ti erner. Born in Russian-Jewish shooter— taciturn ar For several years was the largest yacht Wexner's emplo) fiercely loyal to therri In time, he'd corn "Everyone was n ys Robert Morosk tailer the Limited, "Almost everyor other former emp t of nowhere." TERSON t her meet him. What sort of a asks to meet her?" had become friendly with the e was like a mother," Bjorlin's ; calling my house. meet Epstein, but I did anyway, th Nadia. He said he wanted to 'I'd like to be like a godfather.' It and said, 'Stop!' I told him, 'No, ur help.' I kept Nadia away from e never went anywhere with him." ok Epstein's arrest to make Bjor- laxwell and Epstein hadn't been table of underage women. 118 CHAPTER 30 Leslie Wexner: 1993 Leslie Wexner, the richest man in Ohio, is a proud midwest- erner. Born into the rag trade (Wexner's parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants), he grew up to be a straight shooter— taciturn and camera-shy. For several years running, his 315-foot boat, the Limitless, was the largest yacht owned by an American. • Wexner's employees loved him, and he was known to be fiercely loyal to them. In time, he'd come to see the same qualities in Jeffrey Epstein. "Everyone was mystified as to what [Epstein's] appeal was," says Robert Morosky, a former vice chairman of the clothing retailer the Limited, founded by Wexner. "Almost everyone at the Limited wondered who he was," another former employee of Wexner's recalls. -"He literally came out of nowhere." 119 JAMES PATTERSON F1 But it seems that Epstein did work hard to untangle Wexner's finances. And it appears he succeeded. "Jeffrey cleaned that up right away," a former associate of Epstein's says. The two men became all but inseparable. "Very smart, with a combination of excellent judgment and unusually high standards," Wexner said of Epstein at the time. "Also, he is always a most loyal friend." When Wexner wanted to break up with a woman he'd been dating for several years—a woman who moved to Ohio and con- verted to Judaism to make him happy—he dispatched Epstein to do the dirty work. When Wexner hired a decorator for his Ohio mansion and wanted someone to verify the authenticity of several expensive antiques, Epstein flew in his friend Stuart Pivar, the renowned art collector and author. (According to Pivar, most of the antiques were cheap imitations.) When Wexner traveled abroad, he'd bring back trinkets and gifts for Epstein. When Wexner wanted to see Cats, Epstein arranged to have the cast perform in his mansion. In Ohio, Wexner's associates whispered about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In New York, they wondered about Epstein's role in Wexner's 1993 marriage to Abigail Koppel. At thirty-one, Koppel was twenty-four years Wexner's junior. It was Epstein who negotiated the prenuptial agreement and orchestrated its very strange signing. Abigail signed the agree- ment in her law office. Wexner signed it in his office. According to an associate of Epstein's who was present, Epstein brought a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model along to Wexner's office, as if to make the point that then world. As a joke, Epstein pl belly and had Wexner sign it Epstein asked his friend: "Yes, Jeffrey," said Wexne "It was an uproarious sce Jeffrey being Jeffrey. That wa 'TERSON FILTHY RICH vork hard to untangle Wexner's eeded. "Jeffrey cleaned that up Epstein's says. inseparable. ttion of excellent judgment and ner said of Epstein at the time. riend." ..ak up with a woman he'd been an who moved to Ohio and con- happy — he dispatched Epstein rator for his Ohio mansion and iuthenticity of several expensive iend Stuart Pivar, the renowned ling to Pivar, most of the antiques Wexner traveled abroad, he'd r Epstein. When Wexner wanted to have the cast perform in his Nhispered about his relationship rk, they wondered about Epstein's !. to Abigail Koppel. wenty-four years Wexner's junior. :d the prenuptial agreement and Agning. Abigail signed the agree- r signed it in his office. According lo was present, Epstein brought a del along to Wexner's office, as if 120 to make the point that there are other beautiful women in the world. As a joke, Epstein placed the agreement on the model's belly and had Wexner sign it right there. Epstein asked his friend: "Are you sure you want to do this?" "Yes, Jeffrey," said Wexner. "Quite sure." It was an uproarious scene," Epstein's associate recalls. "Just Jeffrey being Jeffrey. That was his gestalt." 121 PART The omen CHAPTER 31 Mc2 Model Management's NYC branch is looking for "highly motivated and energetic" interns to assist their agents part-time or full-time. If you're thinking to yourself, who?, it's the agency founded by Jean-Luc Brunel, the guy who first signed Christy Turlington when she was just fourteen. Responsibilities include scanning pictures, answering phones, assisting with updating models' portfolios, and working in Photoshop, Word and Excel (so you have to already know what you're doing in those). You Must: Be interested in the fashion, modeling and photography industries, outgoing, well spoken, and able to keep cool while five different people demand Starbucks / copies / phone calls / etc. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience at a smaller agency, plus they can offer a stipend and a Met rocard as well as school credit if needed. Send your resume to intern@ mc2mm.com Good luck! —Julia Hermanns, Fashionista, January 30, 2009 125 JAMES PATTERSON• Jean-Luc Brunel: 2005 IFor Jeffrey Epstein, Leslie Wexner is more than a mentor. More than the last in a line of older men—father figures— whom Epstein cultivated while making his way in the world. Wexner is also a steady, if indirect, source of beautiful women. After all, Wexner is the man in charge of Victoria's Secret, part of the Limited family of companies and—better yet—in charge of the Victoria's Secret catalog. What this means for Epstein is models galore. In fact, like a fox that's gotten hold of the lease to a henhouse, Epstein, according to evidence collected in a later lawsuit brought by Epstein victims, eventually pro- vided financial support for a modeling agency, and provided support for models employed by that agency, in New York City. This story begins with a Frenchman— a playboy modeling agent named Jean-Luc Brunel—who was an owner of the Karin modeling agency. Brunel had been working as a modeling agent since the sev- enties. He claimed to have launched the careers of Monica Bel- lucci, Estelle, Jerry Hall, Rachel Hunter, Milla Jovovich, Rebecca Romijn, Kristina Semenovskaya, Sharon Stone, and Estella War- ren, as well as Christy Turlington and other well-known cover girls. Brunel had also been a subject of a 60 Minutes investiga- tion, broadcast in 1988, into sexual exploitation in the modeling industry. That expose had caused Eileen Ford of the elite Ford modeling agency to sever her ties with the playboy. (Bruners activities were also chronicled in a 1995 book about the fashion 126 industry—Model: The Gross.) But Brunel's reputat getting involved in his According to a sun Edwards, a victims' law Epstein alleging fabrics Epstein had provided st its name, in 2005, from As a scout for MC2 undiscovered talent, faN the former Soviet repuE eling competitions and eling agents and agenci But according to th the information he ha( and Brunel had used th eign countries into the ing contracts. These g belonging to Epstein. visa for these girls," underage girls rent, pre the condos." "I strongly deny I indirectly, in the actior Brunel would say. "I st act or any wrongdoing model agencies manag cal standard for almosi According to Brut ERSON. FILTHY RICH xner is more than a mentor. f older men— father figures — thile making his way in the indirect, source of beautiful in charge of Victoria's Secret, mpanies and—better yet—in catalog. What this means for like a fox that's gotten hold of according to evidence collected pstein victims, eventually pro- lodeling agency, and provided that agency, in New York City. mchman— a playboy modeling who was an owner of the Karin a modeling agent since the sev- .ched the careers of Monica Bel- Hunter, Milla Jovovich, Rebecca Sharon Stone, and Estella War- ton and other well-known cover ubject of a 60 Minutes investiga- (ual exploitation in the modeling sed Eileen Ford of the elite Ford ties with the playboy. (Bruners in a 1995 book about the fashion • 126 industry—Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, by Michael Gross.) But Brunel's reputation did not prevent Jeffrey Epstein from getting involved in his business. According to a summary judgment court filing by Bradley Edwards, a victims' lawyer defending against a lawsuit by Jeffrey Epstein alleging fabrication of sexual assault cases against him, Epstein had provided support for Brunel's agency, which changed its name, in 2005, from Karin to MC2 — as in E = mc2. As a scout for MC2, Brunel traveled the world in search of undiscovered talent, favoring Scandinavia, Israel, central Europe, the former Soviet republics, and South America, setting up mod- eling competitions and negotiating with other international mod- eling agents and agencies. But according to the court filing, in which Edwards detailed the information he had gathered in support of victims, Epstein and Brunel had used the agency to bring underage girls from for- eign countries into the United States by promising them model- ing contracts. These girls were then housed in condominiums belonging to Epstein. "Epstein and Brunel would then obtain a visa for these girls," the document states, "then charge the underage girls rent, presumably to live as underage prostitutes in the condos." "I strongly deny having participated, neither directly nor indirectly, in the actions Mr. Jeffrey Epstein is being accused of," Brunel would say. "I strongly deny having committed any illicit act or any wrongdoing in the course of my work as a scouter or model agencies manager. I have exercised with the utmost ethi- cal standard for almost forty years." According to Brunel, his association with Jeffrey Epstein 127 JAMES PATTERSON ended up having a strong negative impact on his reputation and business. Several photographers refused to work with him. Other agencies, such as Modilinos Model Management, curtailed their relationships with Brunel. And in 2015, Brunel filed his own civil lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein, denying that he had any role in Epstein's illegal activities, alleging that Epstein had obstructed justice by telling him to avoid having his deposition taken in the criminal case the Palm Beach PD had built against Epstein, and claiming that false allegations of Brunel's links to Epstein's activ- ities had harmed his reputation and cost him a great deal of business. In his filing, Brunel included several e-mails from industry contacts who expressed their doubts about placing models with his agency. "Parents don't want their daughters coming to us because [when] they google your name and the agency name the only things they see is 'Sex Trafficking'!!!" one correspondent had written. 128 Nadia Marcinkova: circ C2 has offices in I\ motion—flying to Virgin Islands. Oi Paris. And when he comes where important people — c university presidents, Nobe ex-presidents, and heads of si Some guests marvel in p1 do they come from? Nadia Marcinkova com( model. But Nadia's done very become another of Epstein's According to statements also served as a willing acc( on underage females. ERSON impact on his reputation and used to work with him. Other Management, curtailed their 2015, Brunel filed his own , denying that he had any role ig that Epstein had obstructed ng his deposition taken in the had built against Epstein, and runel's links to Epstein's activ- and cost him a great deal of several e-mails from industry bts about placing models with :heir daughters coming to us lame and the agency name the licking'! !!" one correspondent 1 Nadia Marcinkova: circa 2000 Paris. where CHAPTER 32 C2 has offices in New York City. But Jeffrey's always in motion—flying to his homes in New Mexico and the Virgin Islands. Often to Palm Beach. Sometimes to And when he comes home to New York he hosts parties important people—corporate titans, real estate tycoons, university presidents, Nobel Prize—winning scientists, princes, ex-presidents, and heads of state—mingle with beautiful women. Some guests marvel in public: Who are these women? Where do they come from? Nadia Marcinkova comes from Slovakia. She looks like a model. But Nadia's done very little modeling, if any. Instead she's become another of Epstein's girlfriends. According to statements given to the Palm Beach police, she's also served as a willing accomplice in Epstein's sexual assaults on underage females. 129 JAMES PATTERSON Epstein prefers diminutive women, but Nadia is tall. She's rail-thin and blond like the sun, with glowing skin, a wide smile, and sky-high cheekbones. On a good day, she could pass for a Bond girl— a woman caught up in a web of crime and intrigue. But of course, that's exactly what she is. In certain circles, the academics and the women in Epstein's orbit are almost a joke. In a 2003 profile of him, New York maga- zine quotes Harvard professors ("He is amazing"), Princeton professors ("He changed my life"), MIT professors ("If I had acted upon the investment advice he has given me over the years, I'd be calling you from my Gulfstream right now"), and other lumi- naries, up to and including Bill Clinton. "I've known Jeff for fifteen years," says Donald Trump. "Terrific guy; he's a lot of fun to be with." No one knew then that someday Trump would run for presi- dent. (When he does, he'll attack Hillary Clinton for Bill Clinton's own entanglements with Epstein.) But Trump's already ahead of the curve in that he ends up severing his ties to Epstein well before the police or the media get wind of Epstein's penchant for underage girls. He does this because he finds out that in their endless hunt for "masseuses," Epstein's procurers have been prowling around Trump's estate in Palm Beach. 130 [REDACTED]: 1999 P1' rump's estate, Mar- ulously wealthy he: sits on twenty perfi miles away from Jeffrey E home to the exclusive Mar- courts, and a very posh rest Donald Trump had fou they blocked all his efforts I Other clubs on the island- blacks and Jews— had neve argued. At one point he seni ber of the town council: Gu Sidney Poitier confronts his tleman's Agreement, in which in Connecticut and New Yoi TERSON 1 omen, but Nadia is tall. She's rith glowing skin, a wide smile, tss for a Bond girl—a woman intrigue. But of course, that's CHAPTER 33 :s and the women in Epstein's profile of him, New York maga- ; ("He is amazing"), Princeton ), MIT professors ("If I had acted has given me over the years, I'd am right now"), and other lumi- :linton. n years," says Donald Trump. be with." .day Trump would run for presi- z Hillary Clinton for Bill Clinton's .n.) But Trump's already ahead of ;evering his ties to Epstein well ;et wind of Epstein's penchant for tds out that in their endless hunt urers have been prowling around 130 ie [REDACTED]: 1999 Trump's estate, Mar-a-Lago, had once belonged to the fab- ulously wealthy heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. It sits on twenty perfectly manicured acres less than two miles away from Jeffrey Epstein's home on El Brillo Way. It's home to the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club, which has a spa, tennis courts, and a very posh restaurant. Donald Trump had fought the town council for decades as they blocked all his efforts to turn the place into a private resort. Other clubs on the island— those with a history of excluding blacks and Jews— had never faced such restrictions, Trump had argued. At one point he sent copies of two movies to every mem- ber of the town council: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, in which Sidney Poitier confronts his girlfriend's racist parents, and Gen- tleman's Agreement, in which a journalist confronts anti-Semitism in Connecticut and New York City. 131 JAMES PATTERSON "Whether they love me or not, everyone agrees the greatest and most important place in Palm Beach is Mar-a-Lago," Trump told the Washington Post after winning his battle. "I took this ultimate place and made it incredible and opened it, essentially, to the people of Palm Beach. The fact that I owned it made it a lot easier to get along with the Palm Beach establishment." The Breakers hotel, Trump explained, "gets the [island's] leftovers." It cost $100,000 to join the club. Members paid $14,000 yearly in dues. And although Epstein had never properly joined the club, Trump's friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell gave Epstein unlimited use of the facilities. This arrangement ended when a member's young daughter complained to her wealthy father: while relaxing at Mar-a-Lago, she'd been approached and invited out to Epstein's house. The girl said that she had gone and that Epstein had tried to get her to undress. The girl's father had gone directly to Trump, who —in no uncertain terms—told Epstein that he was barred from Mar-a- Lago. Because no complaint was filed, the police had taken no action. But years later, a woman named [REDACTED] would say that, as a young girl, she'd had an identical encounter at Mar-a-Lago. According to a court document Virginia filed in her civil lawsuit against Epstein, she was a changing-room assistant at Mar-a-Lago, earning about nine dollars an hour, when Ghislaine Maxwell approached her. Maxwell asked Virginia if she was interested in learning to be a massage therapist—which, it turned out, she was. Like the other girl, Virginia told her father, 132 who was also employed at ager. But Virginia's father s he drove her, later that day There, according to thE ia's father that Ms. Maxwel for his teenage daughter. T room equipped with a sl Epstein was lying, naked, c Virginia was shocked, experience with massages, apy protocol. "Ms. Maxwel on her underwear and [Jeffrey's] body, impliedly expected to do," the filing [Virginia] to take off her cl sive about doing this, but, in by removing everything but to remove her underwear a escalated, with [Jeffrey] at battering, exploiting, and at in various locations, incluc At the end of this sexua Ms. Maxwell giddily told 1. and told her she had 'lots c hundreds of dollars, told h directed one of her employe At the time, Virginia wa ERSON FILTHY RICH everyone agrees the greatest Beach is Mar-a-Lago," Trump ming his battle. "I took this ble and. opened it, essentially, la that I owned it made it a lot ;each establishment." :xplained, "gets the [island's] club. Members paid $14,000 tein had never properly joined 3hislaine Maxwell gave Epstein m. a member's young daughter while relaxing at Mar-a-Lago, d out to Epstein's house. le and that Epstein had tried to irectly to Trump, who —in no that he was barred from Mar-a- filed, the police had taken no named [REDACTED] would had an identical encounter at ment Virginia filed in her civil as a changing-room assistant at : dollars an hour, when Ghislaine (well asked Virginia if she was a massage therapist—which, it ther girl, Virginia told her father, 132 II 4 who was also employed at Mar-a-Lago as a maintenance man- ager. But Virginia's father saw nothing wrong with the offer, and he drove her, later that day, to Epstein's house on El Brillo Way. There, according to the document, Maxwell assured Virgin- ia's father that Ms. Maxwell would provide transportation home for his teenage daughter. Then she led Virginia upstairs, to a spa room equipped with a shower and a massage table. Jeffrey Epstein was lying, naked, on the table. Virginia was shocked, she says in the filing, but, with no experience with massages, thought this could be massage ther- apy protocol. "Ms. Maxwell then took off her own shirt and left on her underwear and started rubbing her breasts across [Jeffrey's] body, impliedly showing [Virginia] what she was expected to do," the filing continues. "Ms. Maxwell then told [Virginia] to take off her clothes. The minor girl was apprehen- sive about doing this, but, in fear, proceeded to follow Ms. Maxwell by removing everything but her underwear. She was then ordered to remove her underwear and straddle [Epstein]. The encounter escalated, with [Jeffrey] and Ms. Maxwell sexually assaulting, battering, exploiting, and abusing [Virginia] in various ways and in various locations, including the steam room and the shower. At the end of this sexually exploitive abuse, [Epstein] and Ms. Maxwell giddily told [Virginia] to return the following day and told her she had 'lots of potential.' [Epstein] paid [Virginia] hundreds of dollars, told her it was for two hours of work, and directed one of her employees to drive her home." At the time, Virginia was fifteen years old. 133 CHAPTER 34 Declaration of [REDACTED]: January 19, 2015, filed on January 19, 2015 by attorneys representing Jeffrey Epstein's victims 1. My name is [REDACTED] and I was born in August, 1983. 2. I am currently 31 years old. 3. I grew up in Palm Beach, Florida. When I was little, I loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. But my life took a very different turn when adults—including Jeffrey Epstein and his close friend Alan Dershowitz —began to be interested in having sex with me. 4. In approximately 1999, when I was 15 years old, I met Ghislaine Maxwell. She is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, who had been a wealthy publisher in Britain. Maxwell asked that I come with her to Jeffrey Epstein's mansion for the pur- poses of teaching me how to perform "massages" and to train 134 Fu. me personally in that area. home in Palm Beach on El 5. From the first time. that day, his motivations c Maxwell's. My father was up some stairs. There was c in the room. Epstein and activity with Epstein. I lc seemed to be in his 40s or 5 home by one of Epstein's ern 6. I came back for sev. same sorts of sexual things j 7. After I did those things they were going to have me ti cation for me. They were pro; travel with Epstein on his pri. fession. Epstein said he womb wealthy person so that I woul 8. So I started "working" me to New York on his big, sion in New York City. I was rious room. The mansion wc got scared because it was si room with a massage parlor sexual activities with him the 9. You can see how you below [see insert page 31. 10. Epstein took me on aj New York City and there he approximately 15 or 16 years 1 FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 34 erts Giuffre: January 19, 015 by attorneys i's victims fre and I was born in August, ; old. :h, Florida. When I was little, I s be a veterinarian. But my life 'hen adults— including Jeffrey Alan Dershowitz— began to be me. when I was 15 years old, I met ie daughter of Robert Maxwell, tisher in Britain. Maxwell asked 'y Epstein's mansion for the pur- oerform "massages" and to train 134 me personally in that area. Soon after that I went to Epstein's home in Palm Beach on El Brill° Way. 5. From the first time I was taken to Epstein's mansion that day, his motivations and actions were sexual, as were Maxwell's. My father was not allowed inside. I was brought up some stairs. There was a naked guy, Epstein, on the table in the room. Epstein and Maxwell forced me into sexual activity with Epstein. I was 15 years old at the time. He seemed to be in his 40s or 50s. I was paid $200. I was driven home by one of Epstein's employees. 6. I came back for several days following and did the same sorts of sexual things for Epstein. 7. After I did those things for Epstein, he and Maxwell said they were going to have me travel and were going to get an edu- cation for me. They were promising me the world, that I would travel with Epstein on his private jet and have a well-paid pro- fession. Epstein said he would eventually match me up with a wealthy person so that I would be "set up" for life. 8. So I started "working" exclusively for Epstein. He took me to New York on his big, private jet. We went to his man- sion in New York City. I was shown to my room, a very luxu- rious room. The mansion was huge. I was very young and I got scared because it was so big. Epstein brought me to a room with a massage parlor. Epstein made me engage [in] sexual activities with him there. 9. You can see how young I looked in the photograph below [see insert page 3]. .10. Epstein took me on a ferry boat on one of the trips to New York City and there he took the picture above. I was approximately 15 or 16 years old at the time. 135 JAMES PATTERSON 11. Over the next few weeks, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghis- laine Maxwell trained me to do what they wanted, including sexual activities. The training was in New York and Florida, at Epstein's mansion. It was basically every day and it was like going to school. I also had to have sex with Epstein many times. 12. I was trained to be "everything a man wanted me to be." It wasn't just sexual training—they wanted me to be able to cater to all the needs of the men they were going to send me to. They said that they loved that I was very compli- ant and knew how to keep my mouth shut about what they expected me to do. 13. Epstein and Maxwell also told me that they wanted me to produce information for them in addition to perform- ing sex on the men. They told me to pay attention to the details about what the men wanted, so I could report back to them. 14. While I had juvenile hopes of bettering my life, from very early on I was also afraid of Epstein. Epstein told me he was a billionaire. I told my mother that I was working for this rich guy, and she said "go, go far away." Epstein had promised me a lot, and I knew if I left I would be in big trou- ble. I was witness to a lot of illegal and bad behavior by Epstein and his friends. If I left Epstein, he knew all kinds of powerful people. He could have had me killed or abducted, and I knew he was capable of that if I did not obey him. He let me know that he knew many people in high places. Speak- ing about himself, he said "I can get away" with things. Even as a teenager, I understood what this meant and it scared me, as I believe he intended. 136 FILTF 15. 1 visited and traveled through the summer of 2002 with him for sexual activities sions) in locations including area of Santa Fe, New MeA island in the U.S. Virgin Islam with him often in these places pie he demanded that I have many of these sexual encounte my only purposes for Epsteir was to be used for sex. 16. To illustrate my conno four photographs taken of me in for one of the photographs ni museum in Santa Fe, New Mexi. the day. Epstein took this picture at the time, judging from the lo( we returned to Epstein's Zorro R, on one of Epstein's horses on a following two are from wintertirr 17. When I was with him, El girls on a daily basis. His inte obvious to the people around obvious and bold that anyone si at one of Epstein's residences we of what was going on. 18. Epstein's code word for s( was a "massage." At times the and the girls would start in the I was always a sexual encounter a 137 FERSON FILTHY RICH s, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghis- what they wanted, including as in New York and Florida, sically every day and it was ) have sex with Epstein many rything a man wanted me to ing— they wanted me to be f the men they were going to loved that I was very compli- mouth shut about what they [lso told me that they wanted them in addition to perform- d me to pay attention to the nted, so I could report back to 9pes of bettering my life, from r of Epstein. Epstein told me he lother that I was working for go, go far away." Epstein had if I left I would be in big trou- f illegal and bad behavior by ft Epstein, he knew all kinds of tve had me killed or abducted, f that if I did not obey him. He rty people in high places. Speak- :an get away" with things. Even hat this meant and it scared me, 136 15. I visited and traveled with Jeffrey Epstein from 1999 through the summer of 2002, and during that time I stayed with him for sexual activities at each of his houses (or man- sions) in locations including New York City, New York; the area of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Palm Beach, Florida; an island in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Paris, France. I had sex with him often in these places and also with the various peo- ple he demanded that I have sex with. Epstein paid me for many of these sexual encounters. Looking back, I realize that my only purposes for Epstein, Maxwell, and their friends was to be used for sex. 16. To illustrate my connection to these places, I include four photographs taken of me in New Mexico [see insert page 3 for one of the photographs mentioned]. The first one is a museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We had gone sightseeing for the day. Epstein took this picture of me. I was approximately 17 at the time, judging from the looks of it. At the end of the day we returned to Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The second picture is me on one of Epstein's horses on the ranch in New Mexico. The following two are from wintertime in New Mexico. 17. When I was with him, Epstein had sex with underage girls on a daily basis. His interest in this kind of sex was obvious to the people around him. The activities were so obvious and bold that anyone spending any significant time at one of Epstein's residences would have clearly been aware of what was going on. 18. Epstein's code word for sexual encounters was that it was a "massage." At times the interaction between Epstein and the girls would start in the massage room setting, but it was always a sexual encounter and never just a massage. 137 JAMES PATTERSON 19. In addition to constantly finding underage girls to satisfy their personal desires, Epstein and Maxwell also got girls for Epstein's friends and acquaintances. Epstein specifi- cally told me that the reason for him doing this was so that they would "owe him," they would "be in his pocket," and he would "have something on them." I understood that Epstein thought he could get leniency if he was ever caught doing anything illegal, or that he could escape trouble altogether. Roberts submitted her declaration in support of a motion to be added as a plaintiff in a suit (ongoing, as of this writing) that sought to overturn a non-prosecution agreement that Jeffrey Epstein would reach with the government. Roberts was seeking to join a case brought against the government by two other vic- tims, but a judge denied her motion in April of 2015, explaining that the case had already been pending for several years, and it was unneccesary to add an additional plaintiff. Roberts's declaration, which goes on for another eight pages, and makes twenty-four additional points, was stricken from the record— the judge explained that the "lurid" and "unnecessary details" involving "non-parties" to the lawsuit against the government, were "immaterial and impertinent" to the proceedings. Through a representative, Ghislaine Maxwell called the allegations against her "obvious lies," after which Roberts filed a defamation suit against Maxwell. In an answer filed in the suit, Maxwell elaborated that Roberts's "story of abuse at the hands of Ms. Maxwell" was "fabricated" for financial gain. 138 Alicia: May 20, 1997 Donald Trump's instin solid. But if the repc into Epstein's myster ther, there's a chance they wc not just in Palm Beach. In California, for instan from the Santa Monica Police In the spring--almost the the police. The young woman i appeared on Baywatch and Gei ally assaulted at a trendy hotel - The officer who took th Alicia*—and her voice. A w Alicia's name, some identifying ( tERSON ly finding underage girls to pstein and Maxwell also got :quaintances. Epstein specifi- r him doing this was so that tld "be in his pocket," and he vi." I understood that Epstein if he was ever caught doing d escape trouble altogether. ation in support of a motion to mgoing, as of this writing) that cution agreement that Jeffrey vernment. Roberts was seeking e government by two other vic- ion in April of 2015, explaining )ending for several years, and it ional plaintiff. )es on for another eight pages, and its, was stricken from the record— urid" and "unnecessary details" suit against the government, were he proceedings. Ghislaine Maxwell called the lies," after which Roberts filed a 11. In an answer filed in the suit, s's "story of abuse at the hands of for financial gain. 138 CHAPTER 35 Alicia: May 20, 1997 Donald Trump's instincts regarding Jeffrey Epstein were solid. But if the reporters who were beginning to look into Epstein's mysterious background had dug a bit fur- ther, there's a chance they would have hit pay dirt as well—and not just in Palm Beach. In California, for instance, a paper trail already stretched from the Santa Monica Police Department to Epstein's front door. In the spring—almost the summer—of 1997, a call came in to the police. The young woman who placed it—a young actress who'd appeared on Baywatch and General Hospital—said she'd been sexu- ally assaulted at a trendy hotel called Shutters on the Beach. The officer who took the call knew the woman's name — Alicia* — and her voice. A week earlier, she'd told him about an Alicia's name, some identifying details, and dialogue have been changed. 139 FIU JAMES PATTERSON Then, Alicia told the cop, her will while acting as thoue had stopped Epstein, and left incident. At the top of his crime Battery." But Epstein was ne. Santa Monica Police Departme allegations of improper condu no action on this 1997 comp attorney, Jack Goldberger, told "The cops said it'd be my paper. "And since he had a thought much about it since, 1 now, I want everybody to kno‘ been." encounter with Epstein. The woman had not wanted to make a formal complaint at the time. But she had taken the cop's card, and now he was happy to hear that she'd changed her mind. In a shaky voice, Alicia described Epstein as a tallish man— five feet eleven or six feet in height was her guess—with gray hair and brown eyes. He was the owner of a large black four-door Mercedes and was a regular at Shutters on the Beach, which was the kind of place that cost one thousand dollars a night and was frequented by actors, agents, and other Hollywood types. Alicia told the cop that she was a model and actress herself. She'd known Epstein for about a month. They had a friend in common, and she'd sent him her head shots. Then, through an assistant, Epstein had invited her to meet in his room at the hotel. Alicia said she was having reservations, the officer wrote in his report, because generally interviews are not conducted in hotel According to her, things turned frightening quickly. She was unsure she was safe because although she wanted to land the job as a 'Victoria's Secret' catalog model she felt as though Epstein was attempting to get her to act in an unpro- fessional manner for a model. Epstein wore navy blue sweatpants and a white T-shirt, she recalled. The T-shirt had the letters USA printed on it in patriotic red, white, and blue. Epstein told her to undress and actually assisted her to do so while saying 'let me manhandle you for a second.' 140 TERSON FILTHY RICH nan had not wanted to make a t she had taken the cop's card, at she'd changed her mind. ibed Epstein as a tallish man — ght was her guess—with gray owner of a large black four-door tutters on the Beach, which was tousand dollars a night and was . other Hollywood types. vas a model and actress herself. a month. They had a friend in head shots. Epstein had invited her to meet _rvations, the officer wrote in his tiews are not conducted in hotel ned frightening quickly. )ecause although she wanted to ecret' catalog model she felt as tg to get her to act in an unpro- eatpants and a white T-shirt, she .ters USA printed on it in patriotic rid actually assisted her to do so die you for a second.' Then, Alicia told the cop, Epstein groped her buttocks against her will while acting as though he was evaluating her body. Alicia had stopped Epstein, and left the room, but couldn't get over the incident. At the top of his crime report, the officer wrote "Sexual Battery." But Epstein was never charged in the incident. "The Santa Monica Police Department discounted every one of [Alicia's] allegations of improper conduct by Jeffrey Epstein and they took no action on this 1997 complaint," Epstein's West Palm Beach attorney, Jack Goldberger, told the Palm Beach Post in 2010. "The cops said it'd be my word against his," Alicia told the paper. "And since he had a lot of money, I let it go. I hadn't thought much about it since, until I saw his picture online. And now, I want everybody to know how much of a creep he's always been." CHAPTER 36 Graydon Carter: December 2002 Graydon Carter, the legendary editor of Vanity Fair, likes to get to his office early, well before the rest of his staff files in. Most monthly magazines operate at a leisurely pace— three weeks of coming up with ideas, assigning articles, and shooting the shit in the corporate kitchen followed by one frantic week when all the actual editing gets done. But this isn't the case at Vanity Fair, which runs hard-hitting investigative pieces along- side its glitzy celebrity profiles. There are also parties to plan and host—incredibly glamorous parties, including the annual Oscar-night bash, which is more fun and far more exclusive than the Academy Awards ceremony itself. Vanity Fair is an old, famous brand. But Carter is its public face, just as Anna Wintour is the face of Conde Nast's iconic fashion magazine, Vogue. 142 One cover of Vanity F superstar. And a single tl down a corporate overlorc. Carter's easy to recogr a lion's mane. The Santa ( tailored bespoke suit. He s be more serious about hi! heavily on him this montl to Vicky Ward, an English ity Fair. He'd meant for it pregnant with twins. She story right on her doorster Who was he, really? Cat attended by academics, bull he'd flown Bill Clinton tc how he had made his fort tor of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Carter himself could h his case, the author would dropout who'd worked as York in his late twenties al rise up the social and med and outgoing, Epstein red him was known. Maybe, What did Epstein do, exact Why were so many And where did those beaut Almost immediately, F Ward. He prevailed upon FILTHY RICH CHAPTER 36 2002 lary editor of Vanity Fair, likes to yell before the rest of his staff )erate at a leisurely pace—three assigning articles, and shooting m followed by one frantic week s done. But this isn't the case at itting investigative pieces along- 3. There are also parties to plan us parties, including the annual e fun and far more exclusive than ny itself. Vanity Fair is an old, public face, just as Anna Wintour ic fashion magazine, Vogue. 142 One cover of Vanity Fair can turn a minor celebrity into a superstar. And a single thoroughly researched story can bring down a corporate overlord. Carter's easy to recognize: the pompadour of white hair, like a lion's mane. The Santa Claus body stuffed into an impeccably tailored bespoke suit. He wears his fame lightly. But he could not be more serious about his responsibilities, which are weighing heavily on him this month. Months earlier, he'd assigned a piece to Vicky Ward, an Englishwoman who wrote frequently for Van- ity Fair. He'd meant for it to be an easy assignment: Ward was pregnant with twins. She wasn't allowed to fly. But here was a story right on her doorstep. A nice, easy profile of Jeffrey Epstein. Who was he, really? Carter knew he threw fabulous parties attended by academics, billionaires, and beautiful women. Recently he'd flown Bill Clinton to Africa. But no one seemed to know how he had made his fortune. Epstein's story reminded the edi- tor of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Carter himself could have stepped out of a novel—though in his case, the author would be Horatio Alger. A Canadian college dropout who'd worked as a railroad lineman, he arrived in New York in his late twenties and commenced an astonishingly quick rise up the social and media ladders. But where Carter was open and outgoing, Epstein really was Gatsby-like— very little about him was known. Maybe, Carter thought, Ward could find out. What did Epstein do, exactly, for money? Why was he so secretive? Why were so many brilliant and powerful men drawn to him? And where did those beautiful women come from? Almost immediately, Epstein began a campaign to discredit Ward. He prevailed upon Conrad Black, the press baron and 143 JAMES PATTERSON Epstein's Palm Beach neighbor—who was also a step-uncle of Vicky Ward's husband— to ask Ward to drop the story. But Ward was tenacious, and what she came back with was dynamite. More interesting and much more salacious than anything Carter had imagined. Now Carter's staff was putting in the hours it would take to confirm all the things she'd uncovered, picking the ones they could publish and laying them all out in a narrative that would be no less explosive than the facts it contained. Vicky Ward: October Epstein went out of l his own ends, and s Ward's phone bega Greenberg and Jimmy CE from Les Wexner; from. shakers who counted Eps Then there were the c go on the record, but dI Ward's back, he was hap tour of his Manhattan m; dined out on for years. extremely charming—el him which forks to use• Vicky Ward. But she was to have a keen eye for Eps 144 ATTERSON —who was also a step-uncle of Ward to drop the story. But Ward came back with was dynamite. re salacious than anything Carter ting in the hours it would take to tncovered, picking the ones they all out in a narrative that would acts it contained. 144 CHAPTER 37 Vicky Ward: October 2002 Epstein went out of his way to spin the Vanity Fair story to his own ends, and soon after she got the assignment, Vicky Ward's phone began to ring off the hook: calls from Ace Greenberg and Jimmy Cayne, the current head of Bear Stearns; from Les Wexner; from academics, scientists, and movers and shakers who counted Epstein among their friends. Then there were the calls from Epstein himself. He wouldn't go on the record, but despite the rumors he'd spread behind Ward's back, he was happy to talk informally, even give her a tour of his Manhattan mansion and trot out stories that he had dined out on for years. By most accounts, Epstein could be extremely charming—even if it had taken Ghislaine to teach him which forks to use when—and he did his best to charm Vicky Ward. But she was not easily seduced, and she turned out to have a keen eye for Epstein's missteps. 145 JAMES PATTERSON Over tea in his town house, she noticed, Epstein ate all the finger food that had been put out for both of them. She found it odd that the only book this supposedly brilliant man had left for her to see was a paperback by the Marquis de Sade. And then there was the call afterward from one of Epstein's assistants— a woman Ward did not know—who told her, "Jeffrey wanted me to tell you that you looked so pretty." Ward is pretty, with fine English features and flowing blond hair. She was also very pregnant then, with a bad case of morn- ing sickness. She threw up often, sometimes in public, and these clumsy advances on Epstein's part only added to her ever-present nausea. For a man who was supposedly brilliant, he'd struck her, oddly, as not very smart. "Epstein is charming, but he doesn't let the charm slip into his eyes," she wrote. "They are steely and calculating, giving some hint at the steady whir of machinery running behind them. 'Let's play chess,' he said to me, after refusing to give an inter- view for this article. 'You be white. You get the first move.' It was an appropriate metaphor for a man who seems to feel he can win no matter what the advantage of the other side. His advantage is that no one really seems to know him or his history completely or what his arsenal actually consists of. He has carefully engi- neered it so that he remains one of the few truly baffling myster- ies among New York's moneyed world. People know snippets, but few know the whole." The testimonials Epstein's friends gave were glowing: "I think we both possess the skill of seeing patterns," Les Wexner told her. "Jeffrey sees patterns in politics and financial markets, and I see patterns in lifestyle and fashion trends. My skills are 146 not in investment strateg knows, his are not in fast world trends as each of u5 "I'm on my 20th boc Epstein in 1997. "The ont ily that I send drafts to is But Ward also talked questions and qualms abc in lawsuits against him. C with him. One who had I board of Rockefeller Unix One powerful investn conspicuous absence frot ing desks don't seem to animals that big to not le Ward uncovered lega view with the SEC, given Stearns. She visited a fed. at length with Steven Ho. made a major mistake in told him to stay below th( accusations, about Epste denied—and Ward kne mastermind, was not to b throughout the reporting concerned with what sb with what she'd uncovere Time and again, he have on the girls?" 'TERSON she noticed, Epstein ate all the t for both of them. She found it osedly brilliant man had left for .he Marquis de Sade. And then a one of Epstein's assistants— a ho told her, "Jeffrey wanted me !tty." ;fish features and flowing blond t then, with a bad case of morn- sometimes in public, and these rt only added to her ever-present Dosedly brilliant, he'd struck her, Le doesn't let the charm slip into .e steely and calculating, giving nachinery running behind them. after refusing to give an inter- Lite. You get the first move.' It was nan who seems to feel he can win 3f the other side. His advantage is ow him or his history completely onsists of. He has carefully engi- Le of the few truly baffling myster- ed world. People know snippets, s friends gave were glowing: "I 11 of seeing patterns," Les Wexner in politics and financial markets, and fashion trends. My skills are 146 • FILTHY RICH not in investment strategy, and, as everyone who knows Jeffrey knows, his are not in fashion and design. We frequently discuss world trends as each of us sees them." "I'm on my 20th book," said Alan Dershowitz, who'd met Epstein in 1997. "The only person outside of my immediate fam- ily that I send drafts to is Jeffrey." But Ward also talked to other sources, who had their own questions and qualms about Jeffrey Epstein. Some were involved in lawsuits against him. Others had served on prestigious boards with him. One who had witnessed Epstein's aborted stint on the board of Rockefeller University called him arrogant. One powerful investment manager wondered about Epstein's conspicuous absence from New York's trading floors. "The trad- ing desks don't seem to know him," he says. "It's unusual for animals that big to not leave any footprints in the snow." Ward uncovered legal documents, including Epstein's inter- view with the SEC, given in the wake of his departure from Bear Stearns. She visited a federal prison in Massachusetts and spoke at length with Steven Hoffenberg, who told her that Epstein had made a major mistake in taking Bill Clinton to Africa. "I always told him to stay below the radar," Hoffenberg said. He made other accusations, about Epstein's financial practices, which Epstein denied—and Ward knew that Hoffenberg, the Ponzi-scheme mastermind, was not to be trusted. But she did find it strange that throughout the reporting process Epstein was much less openly concerned with what she'd found out about his finances than with what she'd uncovered about his dealings with women. Time and again, he would call and ask her: "What do you have on the girls?" 147 JAMES PATTERSON * * * One young woman Ward talked to had been invited by Ghis- laine Maxwell to attend a party at Epstein's town house. There, the woman had noticed, female guests far outnumbered the male guests. "These were not women you'd see at Upper East Side din- ners," the woman had said. "Many seemed foreign and dressed a little bizarrely." "This same guest also attended a cocktail party thrown by Maxwell that Prince Andrew attended, which was filled, she says, with young Russian models," Ward wrote. "Some of the guests were horrified,' the woman says." Another source, one who had worked with Epstein, said, "He's reckless, and he's gotten more so. Money does that to you. He's breaking the oath he made to himself— that he would never do anything that would expose him in the media. Right now, in the wake of the publicity following his trip with Clinton, he must be in a very difficult place." 148 Vicky Ward: Novembei IA/hat I had 'on d Beast article .pu some remarkah on-the-record stories from who came from Phoenix. . character was vouchsafed the artist Eric Fischl, had 1 ing room, of how Epstein h separately, her younger sist Ward had written it all the ifs, dotted the i's. But when she called E1 the allegations completely. "Just the mention of rTERSON to had been invited by Ghis- at Epstein's town house. There, ;uests far outnumbered the male you'd see at Upper East Side din- ny seemed foreign and dressed a .ded a cocktail party thrown by attended, which was filled, she els," Ward wrote. "Some of the an says." had worked with Epstein, said, nore so. Money does that to you. to himself— that he would never : him in the media. Right now, in Dwing his trip with Clinton, he 1) 148 CHAPTER 38 Vicky Ward: November 2002 What I had 'on the girls," Ward explained in a Daily Beast article published after Epstein's arrest, "were some remarkably brave first-person accounts. Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix. The oldest daughter, an artist whose character was vouchsafed to me by several sources, including the artist Eric Fischl, had told me, weeping as she sat in my liv- ing room, of how Epstein had attempted to seduce both her and, separately, her younger sister, then only 16." Ward had written it all down in her notes. She had crossed the t's, dotted the i's. .. But when she called Epstein to get his response, he denied the allegations completely. "Just the mention of a 16-year-old girl," Epstein told her, 149 JAMES PATTERSON "carries the wrong impression. I don't see what it adds to the piece. And that makes me unhappy." If some sort of criminal investigation had taken place, that would have been one thing. But, at that time, no criminal investigation into Epstein's affairs had been launched. And in the absence of an investigation, the rumors of Epstein's dealings with very young women seemed to be just that—rumors. Graydon Carter consulted his lawyers, his editors, and his fact-checkers. And then something odd and disturbing happened at the Conde Nast building, then in Times Square. As usual, Carter had come into the office early. He swiped his key card in the lobby, pressed the elevator button, and arrived in the hallway outside the reception area on the twenty-first floor. It would have been a perfect time to review Ward's story. Her description of Epstein's town house—which is said to have been the largest private residence in New York City at the time—was priceless: "Inside, amid the flurry of menservants attired in sober black suits and pristine white gloves, you feel you have stumbled into someone's private Xanadu," she'd writ- ten. "This is no mere rich person's home, but a high-walled, eclectic, imperious fantasy that seems to have no boundaries. The entrance hall is decorated not with paintings but with row upon row of individually framed eyeballs; these, the owner tells people with relish, were imported from England, where they were made for injured soldiers. Next comes a marble foyer, which does have a painting, in the manner of Jean Dubuffet ... but the host coyly refuses to tell visitors who painted it. In any case, 150 One of the photogra captured on video during Palm Beach Police Departm search warrant walk-throi of Epstein's El Brillo N residence (Palm Beach Pc Departm Jeffrey Epstein, Coney Isl circa 1969 (Anonyn-