This week for the True Crime Wednesday feature, I am recapping the first episode in the Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich series on Netflix. I will recap all the information from the episode first followed by my opinion at the very end. TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: This documentary discusses sexual abuse of minors, while I don’t go into graphic detail here, it is still mentioned in this article.
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich Ep1 – Hunting Grounds
January 25, 2012
The episode opens with a deposition video from the date listed above. Very quickly Epstein invokes his Fifth Amendment right when asked about his guilt around crimes for which he had been convicted.
New York City
We first meet Vicky Ward who is an investigative journalist. Ward did a piece for Vanity Fair in 2003 on Epstein. At that time, Epstein was seen as a Gatsby-like person of mystery in New York. The story was supposed to be a society piece, but Ward uncovered red flags almost immediately. One of Ward’s sources had let her know that she knew someone who had an unpleasant experience with Epstein. The source also mentioned that Epstein had abused the woman’s younger sister as well. The source believed that the women would talk with Ward about their experiences.
Next, we meet Maria Farmer, a victim of Epstein’s. She explains that she met Epstein when she was in art school. There had been an art show at the end of the year for graduates, Maria states that she was pressured by Eileen Guggenheim, who was Dean of Students at the time, to sell her paintings at a discounted price to Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. A couple of months later, Epstein contacted Maria and offered her a job. She was going to be managing the coming and going of people, decorators, and visitors. One day while Maria was working Epstein proceeded to question her about siblings. Epstein had taken an interest in learning about Maria’s younger sister Annie.
Annie was 16 years old and a junior in high school when she first met Epstein through her sister. Epstein wanted to pay for Annie to go to Thailand and Vietnam to add to her resume for college. He made it seem like the more competitive schools would find it appealing to have on her application. However, because the international trip was set for July, Epstein suggested that Annie come out to his New Mexico property.
Zorro Ranch – Stanley, New Mexico
Annie’s mother believed that the purpose of the New Mexico trip was to meet some of the other students who would also be going on similar trips. When Annie arrived in New Mexico it became clear that she was the only guest on the property. Annie was shown around the property and Maxwell had asked her if she had ever had a professional massage. Maxwell made it out like Annie was lucky to be there and get her first massage. Maxwell began the massage on Annie like a normal massage, however, once she turned onto her back that changed. Maxwell exposed Annie’s chest and massaged it in an inappropriate manner. Annie could feel Epstein watching her. Annie described the scariest thing that happened during that trip was Epstein came into her room, climbed into her bed to cuddle, and began touching her. At some point, Annie made an excuse to use the bathroom to escape Epstein. Annie did not disclose her experience at the ranch to anyone, she remained focused on the international summer trip.
New Albany, Ohio – 1996
While Annie was on her international trip, Epstein had called Maria asking her to do an artist-in-residency in Ohio. Maria resided in a 26,000 sqft home that happened to be behind Les Wexner’s home. Maria had asked Epstein who Wexner was, and Epstein told her that Wexner was a client of his, as well as, a good friend. Maria explains her process for painting is to start with photographs and paint from there. The theme of her paintings during her time in Ohio was about puberty. The paintings were done in a non-sexual voyeuristic view into private moments. Maria had used her sisters as models for the pictures she had taken to paint. Epstein and Maxwell came to visit one day, and that evening Maxwell had gone to Maria and said that Epstein wanted his feet rubbed. Maria didn’t want to seem ungrateful but felt the request was inappropriate. Epstein prompted Maria to sit next to him after she had rubbed his feet some. Maxwell sat down on the other side of Maria. They both begin to touch Maria, who describes how she would escape her body during the experience. That night Maria had barricaded her bedroom door with a piece of furniture.
Epstein and Maxwell left the next morning. Maria noticed that three of her photographs had been stolen. Maria then calls Annie and confronts her about her experience with Epstein. The only thing Annie would tell her was that, there were things that had happened that made her uncomfortable, but she wasn’t ready to talk about it. Both Annie and Maria were upset that Epstein had taken the photographs as well as their experiences. Epstein contacted Maria the next day, acting like everything was fine and everyone had had a good time. Maria made clear to him that she had not had the same feelings around their encounter, Epstein’s reaction was to question how much money she wanted to stay quiet. Maria did not respond and hung up on Epstein. Maria tried to report Epstein to the NYPD when she returned to the city, but they stated that it was out of their jurisdiction. Maria then called the FBI, laying everything out specifically reporting Epstein and Maxwell. After Maria got off the phone with the FBI, she felt like the agent believed her, and something was going to be done. However, she never heard from the agent again.
New York City – 2003
Maria and Annie were reluctant to speak on the record with Ward. But they made the decision as a family to speak out about their experiences. Vanity Fair went to Epstein to fact-check the story that Ward had brought to them and Epstein’s response was that the women were infatuated with him. Epstein made calls to Ward, making veiled threats, trying to get her to stop digging for her story. Ward was getting spooked by some of the things that Epstein would say, so she couldn’t imagine how terrified his victims felt. Ward remembers the Editor-In-Chief of Vanity Fair at the time, Graydon Carter, saying to her that he believed Epstein that the girls were a sore point. Annie felt like this was more proof of how powerful Epstein was. Ward believes that Epstein is the ultimate story of the abuse of power and money.
A disclaimer is presented on screen stating as follows:
Former Vanity Fair Editor-In-Chief Graydon Carter released the following statement: “Ms. Ward’s reporting on this aspect of her story came in as we were going to press and simply did not meet our legal threshold.”
Palm Beach, Florida – 2003
Epstein purchased his Palm Beach mansion in 1990, and he was considered new money in the area. Palm Beach is described as a place where if you have enough money you can buy your way into society. Michael Reiter, Former Police Chief of the Palm Beach Police Department, discusses how they had received reports from some of Epstein’s neighbors that there was a large number of young women coming and going from his home. They had sent some officers to stop and interview the women as they left. The three or four that were stopped all were adults and explained that they did office work for Epstein. Due to their age there did not seem the need to continue with further police involvement.
In 2005, a concerned parent called the police station and reported their concerns about Epstein to an officer. They asked the parent to bring the child in for a formal interview with a detective. The first victim to come forward was 14 years old at the time. From the descriptions the victim provided they were able to determine that Epstein was the suspect. The case was assigned to the special investigations unit because of the nature of the case and who Epstein was. The lead investigator, who has since passed, began contacting other victims and listening to their stories. Each victim had nearly the identical story, they thought that they would give him a massage in exchange for a small amount of money. The police were worried about ongoing victimizing, so they start surveillance right away. As they spoke to each victim, the victim would tell them about others and those others would tell them about others.
Michelle Licata, a survivor, met Epstein in December 2004. A girl in Michelle’s class passed her a note asking if she wanted to make some extra money massaging old guys. It seemed weird to Michelle was she agreed. Michelle was 16 years old at the time. Michelle rode with her friend for the 45-minute drive to Epstein’s residence. Her friend explained that if anyone asked to say that she was 18 years old. Epstein had instructed Michelle to start with his feet and legs, he would talk to her about her appearance. The compliments he gave her, were things she never associated with herself. Epstein suggested that Michelle undress, so she would be in her underwear. Michelle was frightened about what would happen if she tried to run. Epstein would please himself as he touched Michelle. Once he was done, Epstein gave Michelle $200 and said he would like to see her again.
West Palm Beach, Florida
Many of the girls who were victims were brought from across the bridge from the mainland. That area is West Palm Beach which is a completely different world compared to Palm Beach. Shawna Rivera, a survivor, had a rough childhood before she was introduced to Epstein. Her mother was heavily into drugs most of Shawna’s life, her father went to prison when she was three and did not get out until she was 10. On Shawna’s 12th birthday, her dad and his girlfriend beat the girlfriend’s 8-year-old son to death in front of her. Shawna ran away from home at that point until her grandmother was able to get custody.
Florida – 2002
Shawna was 14 years old when a friend of hers brought her over to Epstein’s for the first time. Shawna’s friend takes her inside to the “massage” room, once Epstein came in and laid down, the friend informed Shawna that they had to take off their clothes. At some point, the friend says that she is leaving, and Shawna is left in the room alone with Epstein. Epstein asked Shawna how old she was, and her response was 15 even though she was 14. Epstein instructed Shawna to pinch his nipples as she massaged his chest. Once he finished, he pointed to where the money was, and Shawna left. Shawna is not sure how long between her first visit and the phone call telling her they were sending a cab to take her to Epstein’s. Shawna would be victimized by Epstein for the next three or four years.
The first step for a sexual predator in the grooming process is to identify vulnerable victims. Someone who is financially disadvantaged or who already has some sexual trauma in their past. Sexual predators have an eye for picking out someone who is in need of something, and they exploit that need. So, when you look at the dynamic of a teenage girl with a brilliant, narcissistic billionaire, their adolescent brain was not equipped to understand or react to what was happening.
Palm Beach, Florida – 2005
The police were frustrated because while some of the people wanted to cooperate, the majority of the victims were too scared to prosecute Epstein. Police decided to talk to some of Epstein’s employees for information. Since the case was an uphill battle and the employees did not want to cooperate, the police went through Epstein’s trash. They were able to recover one victim’s report cards and a receipt that he had a messenger deliver flowers to a girl at her school. Haley Robson, a survivor, met Epstein when she was 16 years old. Haley had been raped the summer before meeting Epstein. When Epstein attempted to touch Haley below the below, she declined and told him that it was not going to happen. Epstein told her that if she brought any friends, he would give her $200. This was tempting to her because it could be her ticket out of her situation. Haley would recruit friends and bring them to Epstein’s house. She would bring them to the room and then walk out. Sometimes she would hang out by the pool, and when Epstein was finished with her friend he would come out to where Haley was and pay her. Sometimes they would exchange some small talk. When Haley was interviewed by police, they made her feel like she was guilty of being Epstein’s right-hand man.
Girls who were recruiting for Epstein were also victims. They had been manipulated by Epstein in a special way. They were made to feel extra special and offered opportunities that would get them out of their tough situations at home. Epstein had created a pyramid scheme of a sexual nature. The police realized after a few months that this was a way of life for Epstein. Seven months into the case, the police obtained a search warrant for Epstein’s residence.
The following disclaimers are presented before the end of the episode:
– Ghislaine Maxwell denies all allegations against her
– In both federal court actions, Farmer makes no mention of Guggenheim. Eileen Guggenheim categorically states she had no role whatsoever in either Farmer’s introduction to Epstein or the sale of her artwork.
– Additional statement from Graydon Carter: “During my 25 years at Vanity Fair, we were steadfast in our legal review on every story. Ms. Ward’s reporting on this aspect of her story came in as we were going to press and simply did not meet our legal threshold. Furthermore, her recounting of the facts around the Epstein article is completely inaccurate. If we had had three people on the record willing to stand up for us in court if Epstein had chosen to sue, we would have run it.”
People Interviewed
These are all the people interviewed for the episode. They are listed in order of credited appearance:
- Vicky Ward, Journalist
- Maria Farmer, Survivor
- Annie Farmer, Survivor
- Carl Hiaasen, Columnist – Miami Herald
- James Patterson, Author
- Tim Malloy, Journalist
- Michael Reiter, Former Police Chief – Palm Beach Police Department
- Michelle Licata, Survivor
- Shawna Rivera, Survivor
- Dr. Kathryn Stamoulis, Adolescent Sexuality Psychologist
- Haley Robson, Survivor
Epstein is a gross and disgusting individual. I have yet to learn one thing about this person that is redeeming to the monster I have heard about. Maxwell has a lot to answer for and I cannot wait to see what happens now that she has been brought in. I doubt that Maxwell will name names or admit any guilt. I hope to watch the victims face her down in a court of law and let her know that she will not break them anymore.
Tomorrow for the Writing Thursday feature, I am presenting an original scene. Next week for the True Crime Wednesday feature, I am highlighting the Doe Network profile of Matthew Daniel Anfeldt. Until then keep sleuthing the cases; Nerd out.
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