Interview · moment 1 of 11
Epstein's Black Book and Rise via Les Wexner
from Epstein Island Adventures with Nick Bryant · #140
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
3 minGuest
Tim and Nick discuss how Epstein's black book was obtained via a lawsuit, Epstein's properties including the island, Manhattan townhouse, and New Mexico compound, and his financial rise from Brooklyn teacher to Bear Stearns to money manager for billionaire Les Wexner, with Nick suggesting a 'pathological symbiosis' between the two.
- 2:50Epstein's black book was taken by his house manager, who tried to sell it to an undercover FBI agent instead of turning it over.
- 3:13The black book ended up as discovery in a lawsuit against Epstein, which is how the guest obtained it.
- 3:26Epstein ran a sex ring out of Little St. James in the Virgin Islands and owned multiple properties including a 50,000 square foot Manhattan townhouse, a Palm Beach home, and a castle in New Mexico.
- 4:11Epstein grew up middle class in Brooklyn—his father worked for the parks department—and later taught physics and math at an elite Manhattan private school.
- 4:28He tutored the son of Bear Stearns chairman Ace Greenberg and became a limited partner at the firm before leaving in 1981.
- 4:56After 1981, details about Epstein's rise recede into shadow, though friends claimed he was a bounty hunter recovering lost money for wealthy people.
- 5:17Epstein eventually started his own business as a financier, with Les Wexner as his mentor.
- 5:36Epstein managed Wexner's money when Wexner was worth three to four billion dollars, establishing the foundation of his rise.
Jeffrey EpsteinLittle St JamesLes WexnerBear StearnsAce Greenberg