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And yet the mighty and powerful, apparently evaluating the nature of disgrace on their own terms, beat a path to his door. It’s a fantastic conclave of influence in his dining room: financiers, billionaires, heads of state, economic ministers. He surely represents the kind of insiderism that is mostly just a figment in outsiders’ fantasies. Except for the fact that, straining credulity, Epstein is for real. His is an ultimate sort of fantasy of power, wealth, and secrecy. (In 2004, when the then owners of this magazine put it up for sale, I was involved with a group trying to buy it—an effort in which Epstein volunteered to invest $20 million. New York was subsequently sold to another wealthy investor.) Without ever being asked to keep what I have heard there off the record, I’ve willingly done so, least I not be invited back. And, too, to protect him. Who would understand Jeffrey? Who could explain him? Certainly Epstein’s past encounters with the press (and in many ways with the masses) have been about as disastrous as any could be, helping to open a Pandora’s box of lifestyle vulnerabilities that sent him to jail on a prostitution charge in 2008. And yet here he is, in his 50,000 square foot mansion, dispensing advice to world leaders and business titans. Indeed, Epstein has been advising one the worlds largest foundations ona new way to increase its already vast clout by adding funds from other wealthy individuals that can use the foundation resources (the Gates Foundation now employs 1,200 people), but which can be directed to separate causes and goals. And it is some of the hyper wealthy that at the end of the summer began prodding Epstein to begin a process of public rehabilitation. Hence, as part of an effort to get “out in front” of the unfavorable notice that might greet the public association with him, Epstein agreed to several on the record conversation with me, in the hope, and promise of a second chance, , that, after five years since his release from jail and relative peace, he might be able to leaven his reputation. And with the hope on my part of learning more about how and if the rich are different than you and me (although we can fairly dispense with the if). Then, just before the New Year, Epstein forwarded me a heads-up email that Alan Dershowtiz, one of Epstein’s long time friends—they have a bickering brotherly relationship—and occasional legal advisors, had received from a reporter at Politico and forwarded to Epstein. The Politico reporter had been following Epstein-related court filings (there is a determined contingent of Epstein reporters) and found a new one added to an old law suit with some rather jaw-dropping claims. Six years after the original suit, a Florida lawyer was now seeking to add HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_022846