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math teacher at the prestigious Dalton School in Manhattan. The story goes that the father of one of Epstein’s students was so impressed with the man that he put him in touch with a senior partner at Bear Stearns, the global investment bank and securities firm. In 1976, Epstein left Dalton for a job at Bear Stearns. By the early 1980s, he had started J. Epstein and Co. That is when he began making’ his millions in earnest. Little is known or said about Epstein’s business except this: He manages money for the extremely wealthy. He is said to handle accounts only of $1 billion or great- er. It has been estimated he has roughly 15 clients, but their identi- ties are the subject of only specula- tion. All except for one: Leslie Wex- ner, founder of The Limited retail chain and a former Palm Beacher who is said to have been a mentor to Epstein. Wexner sold Epstein one of his most lavish residences: a massive townhouse that dominates a block on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It is reported to:have, among its finer features, closed-circuit’. television and a heated sidewalk to melt away fallen snow. That townhouse, thought to be the largest private residence in Manhattan, is only a piece of the extravagant world Epstein built over time. In New Mexico, he constructed a 27,000-square-foot hilltop mansion ona 10,000-acre ranch outside Santa Fe. Many believed it to be the largest home inthe state. In Palm Beach, he bought a waterfront home on E! Brillo Way. And he owns a 100-acre private island in the Virgin Islands. Perhaps as remarkable as his lavish: homes is his extensive net- work of friends and associates at the highest echelons of power. This includes not only socialites but also business tycoons, media. moguls; politicians, royalty and Nobel Prize- winning scientists whose research he often funds. “Just like other people collect art, he collects scientists,” said Martin Nowak, who: directs the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics at Harvard University and was reportedly the recipient of a $30 million research donation from Epstein. : Epstein is said to have befriended former Harvard Presi- dent Larry Summers, prominent law Professor Alan. Dershowitz, Donald Trump and New York Datiy News Publisher Mort Zuckerman. And yet he managed for decades to maintain a low profile. He avoids eating out and was rarely photo- graphed. 07/26/17 Ghislaine Maxwell, a fixture at elite parties and. the intensely - - ‘I’m like:a Heidi Fleiss.’ Haley Rot; told police she tov private daughterofa _least six girls to vid _ media tycoon, dated Epstein, all betweu _ Epstein in the 1990s. a ages: of 14 ane 1 °° DaliaBeach Bust com: | = “Read ee ee on ae Enel bier “The odd thing is I never met him,” said Dominick Dunne, the famous chronicler. of the trials and tribulations of the very rich. “I wasn’t even aware of him,” except for a Vanity Fair article. Epstein’s friendship with Clinton has attracted the most attention. Epstein met Clinton as early as 1995, when he paid tens of. thou- sands of dollars:to join him at an intimate fund-raising dinner in Palm Beach. But from all appearances, they did not become close friends until after Clinton left the Oval Office and moved to New York. Epstein has donated more than $100,000 to Democratic candidates’ campaigns, including John Kerry’s. presidential bid; the reelection campaign of New Mexico: Gov. Bill Richardson and the Senate bids of Joe Lieberman, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Christopher Dodd and Charles Schumer. Powerful friends and: enemies A Vanity Fair profile found cracks in the veneer of Epstein’s life story. The 2003 article said he left Bear Stearns in the wake of a-federal probe and a possible Securities and Exchange Commission violation. It also pointed out that Citibank once sued him for defaulting on a $20 million loan. The article suggested that one of his. business mentors and previous employers. was Steven Hoffenberg, now serving a prison term. after Pcogt investors out of more than $450 million. in one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American histo- : As he amassed his wealth, | Epstein made enemies in disputes both large and small. He sued the man who in 1990 sold him his multimillion-dollar' Palm Beach home over a dispute Bnet less than $16,000 in furnishings. Page 78 of 151 A former frien backed out of aj burse him hundre: dollars after their) in Texas oil wells) Epstein owed hini “Its a bad n rather not have | Epstein,” said M retired former pré Electronics and § it to say I have nd about Among the ch attributed to Epsi for women. He has been ! a fixture on. the | circuits in both N don. Previous gir} include a former: Romanian model, “He’s a lot oi Donald Trump to} zine in 2002. “It is likes beautiful wo do, and many of younger side. Nj Jeffrey enjoys his) Investigation lea Although he; quenter of the F scene, he made} Among his charit| gave 590,000. to! Police Departmes Ballet Florida. In Palm Beaci ry. Three black N garage, alongsidi Davidson. His jet at Palm Beach Int At home, a privat staff stood at th window in. his 0 ‘look out' on the | - way and. the Wes line. He seemed: had everything. But extraord) Public Records Request No.: 17-295 DOJ-OGR-00032117