Epstein's Riches: Forbes Reporters Break Down How He Made His Millions

In this special episode of Forbes Talks, reporters John Hyatt and Giacomo Tognini break down the key findings from their investigation into how Jeffrey Epstein really got rich. Backed by public financial records and court documents, they reveal how Epstein generated over $800 million in revenue, largely from just two billionaire clients. They also explore Epstein’s use of the US Virgin Islands tax program to legally pay just 4% in taxes, saving an estimated $300 million.

The episode dives into his close financial ties with Les Wexner and Leon Black, how much they paid him, and what services he actually provided. Plus, they discuss new revelations about Epstein’s transactions and the Senate’s efforts to uncover where his money really came from. It’s a rare, in-depth look at the numbers behind the headlines—and how wealth, power, and secrecy protected Epstein for so long.

Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomot...

00:00 – Intro: How Rich Was Jeffrey Epstein?
01:00 – Overview of Epstein’s Net Worth and Business Entities
03:00 – Les Wexner: Epstein’s First Anchor Client
05:30 – Leon Black: The Second Major Backer
08:00 – What Happened After Epstein Lost Wexner
10:00 – Rebuilding Through Leon Black’s Payments
13:00 – $170M in Client Fees: Too Much for Tax Advice?
15:00 – Charities, Loans, and Epstein’s PR Rehabilitation
17:00 – The US Virgin Islands Tax Shelter Strategy
21:00 – Epstein’s 4% Effective Tax Rate
23:00 – How Epstein Maintained the Illusion of a Billionaire
25:00 – The Power of Wealth and Elite Blindness
28:00 – 4,700 Transactions and a $1.9 Billion Mystery
30:30 – Final Thoughts and Ongoing Investigations

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