The US government’s release of its Epstein files has set off tremors among the world’s elite.
A former prince was stripped of his title and arrested. Ambassadors have been sacked and also arrested. One of America’s most prominent lawyers plans to resign; another stepped down as the head of a major New York law firm. At least one CEO resigned as a result of his long friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted on Florida state charges of soliciting prostitution of a minor in a controversial 2008 plea deal. And several prominent people are testifying and being summoned to testify before the House Oversight Committee this spring.
Even after his conviction, Epstein maintained relationships with some of the world’s elite in business, government, academia and entertainment — until his arrest in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges.
CNN will continue to track the fallout.
Over the following years, some of his connections did face public blowback after their ties to Epstein were brought to light. But only one person — Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell — was convicted and went to prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring he was accused of running.
