Some of Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers and their lawyers are angry that his death will prevent him from facing them in court.
By Associated Press and World Israel News
Federal authorities say the FBI is investigating the “apparent suicide” of disgraced billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons said Epstein, 66, was found unresponsive in his cell in the Metropolitan Correctional Center about 6:30 a.m. Saturday.
Officials said staff tried to revive him and transported him to a local hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A former warden says that Epstein’s suicide in jail represents a “shocking failure” of the system.
Cameron Lindsay, who ran three federal lockups, says Epstein should have been under constant supervision.
A little over two weeks ago, Epstein was found on the floor of his jail cell with bruises on his neck, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. At the time, it was not clear whether the injuries were self-inflicted or from an assault.
Epstein, who had close connections to the rich and famous, was accused of abusing dozens of underage teen girls. He would then use the girls to recruit others in an “ever-expanding web of new victims,” according to U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman.
The Epstein scandal has plagued former Israeli politician Ehud Barak, with whom he had business dealings. Barak had received some $3 million for work that remains unclear and for which the former prime minister refuses to divulge the details.
Some of Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers and their lawyers are angry that the financier’s death will prevent him from facing them in court.