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Jeffrey Epstein: Financier 'found dead in cell' in New York | Jeffrey Epstein: Financier 'found dead in cell' in New York |
(32 minutes later) | |
Financier Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead in his prison cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, US media report. | |
His body was discovered at 07:30 local time (11:30 GMT) on Saturday at the facility in New York. | His body was discovered at 07:30 local time (11:30 GMT) on Saturday at the facility in New York. |
He was reportedly on suicide watch following an earlier incident in which he was found injured in his cell. | |
Epstein, 66, had pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges and was being held without bail. | Epstein, 66, had pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges and was being held without bail. |
Last month, shortly after he was denied bail, he was found semi-conscious in his cell with injuries to his neck. He was treated at a nearby hospital, reports say, before being returned to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. | |
The facility is widely considered to be one of the most secure in the country. | |
What was he charged with? | |
Epstein was accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005. | Epstein was accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005. |
He was arrested on 6 July after landing in New Jersey on his private jet. He avoided similar charges in a controversial secret plea deal in 2008, and instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. | |
That plea deal was closely scrutinised in recent weeks and, last month, US Labor Secretary Alex Acosta resigned over his role in it. | |
Prosecutors also accused Epstein of paying large amounts of money to two potential witnesses ahead of the scheduled trial. | |
He faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted. | |
Who was Jeffrey Epstein? | Who was Jeffrey Epstein? |
New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance. | New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance. |
Prior to the criminal cases against him, he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections. | Prior to the criminal cases against him, he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections. |
He was often seen socialising with the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the UK's Prince Andrew. | He was often seen socialising with the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the UK's Prince Andrew. |
In a 2002 profile in New York Magazine, Mr Trump referred to Epstein as a "terrific guy". | |
But he later said the pair fell out "12 or 15 years ago" and reiterated last month that he was "not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein". | |
Reports of Epstein's wealth vary, with his Virgin Islands-based firm generating no public records. | Reports of Epstein's wealth vary, with his Virgin Islands-based firm generating no public records. |
History of the allegations | |
2002: The earliest allegations of abuse covered by the recent case take place. | |
October 2002: Donald Trump tells New York magazine he has known Epstein for 15 years, and that he is a "terrific guy.... it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side". | |
2005: One of Epstein's alleged victims, aged 14, reports him to the police in Palm Beach - sparking the first investigation. | |
May 2006: Epstein is charged with unlawful sex acts with a minor. Later in the year, the case is referred to the FBI. | |
2007: A plea deal is struck with Alex Acosta, the US attorney in Florida. Instead of facing federal sex-trafficking charges, he pleads guilty to two charges of soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. | |
June 2008: Epstein is sentenced to 13 months in prison - a private wing of a county jail. He is also allowed to leave for work - up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. He does, however, have to register as a sex offender. | |
April 2017: Alex Acosta is appointed labor secretary by now-President Donald Trump. | |
November 2018: The Miami Herald publishes its explosive investigation into Epstein, the plea deal, and the dozens of women alleging abuse. | |
July 2019: Epstein is arrested on new sex-trafficking charges, which he denied. Alex Acosta resigns. |