Ep 1. Hunting Grounds

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich is a docuseries that explores the life, crimes, and death of Jeffrey Epstein, a former financier and convicted sex offender who died under mysterious circumstances in prison. The first episode of the series, entitled "Hunting Grounds," contextualizes Epstein's upbringing, early career, and connections to powerful figures in the worlds of finance, politics, and entertainment. Through interviews with Epstein's victims, journalists, investigators, and legal experts, the episode sheds light on how Epstein was able to prey on young girls and women with impunity for decades.

The episode begins by telling the story of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of the most outspoken of Epstein's accusers. Giuffre claims that she was recruited by Epstein's longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, when she was just 16 years old and working as a spa attendant at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. According to Giuffre, Maxwell introduced her to Epstein and instructed her to give him massages, which soon turned sexual and involved other men as well. Giuffre says she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, on three separate occasions, including once when she was underage. The episode shows footage from Giuffre's 2015 legal deposition, where she describes in detail her interactions with Epstein and Maxwell.

The episode then rewinds to Epstein's early years in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up as the son of a parks department worker and a homemaker. Epstein was a gifted student and excelled in math and physics, but dropped out of college to pursue a career on Wall Street. He worked briefly at Bear Stearns before starting his own financial consulting firm, which he used to amass a fortune by promising high returns to wealthy clients. Epstein used his wealth to gain access to exclusive circles of power and influence, and became known for his opulent lifestyle, which included multiple homes, private jets, and a private island in the Caribbean.

The episode explores how Epstein used his connections to lure vulnerable girls into his inner circle. He often targeted girls from low-income backgrounds who were in need of money and promised them modeling or acting opportunities. Epstein also used his island, which he dubbed "Little St. Jeff's," as a place to host young girls and women and to surround himself with his celebrity friends, such as Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, and Prince Andrew. Epstein's behavior was an open secret among his staff, as well as among some of his wealthy acquaintances, but he managed to avoid meaningful consequences for his actions.

The episode also discusses the legal battles Epstein faced during his lifetime. In 2005, he was investigated by the Palm Beach Police for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl. The investigation resulted in a plea deal in which Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor and served 13 months in jail. The deal was widely criticized for being too lenient and for shielding Epstein's co-conspirators. The episode features interviews with some of the police detectives and prosecutors who worked on the case, as well as with Bradley Edwards, a lawyer who represented several of Epstein's victims in civil suits. Edwards describes the challenges of representing clients who were traumatized and ashamed, but who also wanted justice.

Overall, "Hunting Grounds" sets the stage for the complex and disturbing story of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and the failures of the justice system to hold him accountable. It shows how Epstein exploited his wealth and connections to manipulate and harm vulnerable girls and women, and how his death has left many of his victims without closure or justice. The episode sets a somber tone for the rest of the series, which delves deeper into Epstein's inner circle and his web of enablers.