Epstein's Rise: How a Manipulator Built Fortune & Influence Before Crimes Exposed

• Jeffrey Epstein began as a math teacher at Dalton School, lacking finance experience, before Ace Greenberg helped him secure a job at Bear Stearns.
• At Bear Stearns, he benefited from patronage, avoided penalties for lying about degrees and rule violations, learning to exploit institutional loopholes.
• After leaving Bear Stearns, he engaged in dubious ventures and marketed offshore wealth tracking, building connections in elite circles through manipulation and strategic donations.
• His fortune dramatically expanded after gaining Leslie Wexner's trust, receiving power of attorney and allegedly siphoning millions from Wexner's accounts.
• Epstein's unchecked power grew for decades due to continuous enablement by major banks, influential lawyers, and political connections, despite emerging allegations.

Why It Matters: Epstein's wealth and influence grew through manipulation, exploiting institutional blind spots and elite connections.