Netflix’s four-part documentary Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, which premiered on May 27, covers how Epstein used his power and money to get out of sexual abuse charges, but mostly focused on the abuse survivors and what had happened from their perspective.
Lisa Bryant directed the film and worked closely with those who authored books on the case, including James Patterson who was Epstein’s neighbor.
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich shows Epstein’s rise into high society from his work in the finance industry, but reveals that Epstein still preyed on underprivileged girls or those with a troubled family life. Using his wealth, he tended to exploit these weaknesses. The series highlights how helpless many of these victims felt during the time of their abuse. The episodes feature real recordings from police interviews with the girls describing what had happened to them.
As Epstein preyed on these teenage girls, the legal system missed opportunities to convict him due to his skillful use of his money. Epstein utilized his great wealth, land, private jets and connections to other rich people to not only draw victims in, but get himself out of trouble. He was notably close to Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew and Harvey Weinstein.
Bryant specifically highlighted the “the sweetheart deal” which allowed Epstein to go unscathed after investigation on sexual abuse charges. It was negotiated in Florida between Epstein’s legal team and former U.S. attorney Alex Acosta. Acosta later served as President Trump’s Labor Secretary for two years. He stepped down because of the role he played in Epstein’s 2008 plea deal.
Another Epstein documentary on Investigation Discovery, Who Killed Jeffrey Epstein, focuses on conspiracy theories that developed after Epstein’s prison death by suicide in August 2019.
