PEOPLE
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THE RISE AND FALL OF THE RICH AND POWERFUL: WHO IS JEFFREY EPSTEIN? Pulling back the curtain of the case that never was. WORDS BY ANNA WONDRASEK │ ILLUSTRATIONS BY ABBY LASHBROOK
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effrey Epstein’s case is not unique. Stories of wealthy, powerful men being granted leniency in the United States legal system can be found throughout history, particularly in recent history. R. Kelly, Robert H. Richards IV,
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and Michael Jackson were all acquitted of rape or child molestation. However, Epstein’s case stands out, not only because of the sheer number of victims and witnesses, but also because of the way his case was handled, beginning with the
original accusations uncovered in 2005. Epstein’s death on Aug. 10, 2019 may have put an end to the abuse from him in particular, but the trauma endured by the victims, and the legacy of this case, will live on for years to come.
