Mega Edition: Jeffrey Epstein And The Women Who Made His Empire Possible (11/18/25)

Leon Black, billionaire cofounder of Apollo Global Management, was for years a heavyweight political donor, spreading money to both Democrats and Republicans. In 2016 alone, he poured in more than $590,000 across campaigns and committees, with large sums going to both parties’ super PACs—$250,000 to the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC and $150,000 to the Republican-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund. His donations continued into later cycles, but the amounts dropped sharply once his connections to Jeffrey Epstein became public, with watchdogs noting a steep decline in his political spending after 2020.When it came to his personal scandals, Black has claimed he was the one being targeted rather than the perpetrator. After Guzel Ganieva filed her 2021 lawsuit alleging sexual assault and coercion, Black fired back that the allegations were “fiction” and part of an extortion scheme. He launched counterclaims of defamation, insisted he had proof in the form of texts and calls, and argued that he was the victim of a calculated conspiracy meant to “destroy” him through litigation and media pressure. Black’s stance has consistently been that he was set up—framed as both a financial and reputational hit job orchestrated by opportunists who saw him as a target.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

4 Okt 53min

Les Wexner, billionaire founder of L Brands and longtime Epstein associate, has poured significant money into Republican politics over the years. He was a high-profile donor in the 2012 presidential race, hosting fundraisers for Mitt Romney and giving $250,000 to the pro-Romney “Restore Our Future” super PAC. In 2015, he chipped in another $500,000 to Jeb Bush’s “Right to Rise” PAC, solidifying his reputation as one of Ohio’s most influential GOP financiers. For decades, Wexner’s name appeared in donor rolls tied to party machinery, think tanks, and candidates who benefited from his wealth.Then came the dramatic “I quit the GOP” moment in 2018, when Wexner loudly declared he was leaving the Republican Party, citing differences with its modern direction. But, irony alert—despite the public distancing act, he was back in the donor headlines in 2022, cutting a $250,000 check to the Republican Governors Association. So much for walking away. It seems that, like many billionaires, Wexner can’t quite resist keeping his influence alive where it counts—inside the political cash pipeline.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

4 Okt 33min

The rumor mill has churned out one of its juiciest royal tidbits: that King Charles once gave Prince Andrew such a scathing rebuke that the disgraced duke actually cried. Supposedly, Charles told him—point blank—that he would never be allowed back into royal life, and Andrew, who still harbored fantasies of a comeback, was so “utterly bereft” he broke down in tears. Think about it: a grown man, a prince of the realm, sobbing because his big brother told him his days of cutting ribbons and pretending to be useful were over. It’s like watching the office screw-up finally get fired and realizing he’s the only one surprised.Of course, this “Andrew cried” story comes with the usual royal rumor disclaimers: tabloid sources, unnamed insiders, and just enough dramatic flair to sound like a soap opera script. There’s no official confirmation from the palace, because let’s be real—they’d never admit something so humiliating. But whether it’s literally true or just tabloid fan-fiction, the image of Andrew bawling while Charles tells him he’s persona non grata fits almost too neatly. If nothing else, it paints a perfect picture of just how far Andrew has fallen—from strutting prince to pitiful footnote.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

4 Okt 30min

The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) was meant to guarantee Epstein’s survivors a voice in the legal process, but in practice their rights were ignored during the 2007–2008 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein’s legal team and federal prosecutors in Florida. Survivors were never told about the deal in advance, even though the CVRA required that they be notified of and consulted on major decisions in the case. Instead, prosecutors secretly arranged a sweetheart plea bargain that allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges and serve minimal county jail time under highly privileged conditions. The survivors only learned of the agreement after it had already been finalized, stripping them of their chance to object or even weigh in.Federal courts later acknowledged that prosecutors had violated the CVRA by keeping survivors in the dark, but the rulings stopped short of overturning the deal. This left survivors furious, as the law meant to protect them had been functionally useless in one of the most high-profile sex trafficking cases in U.S. history. Instead of being treated with the dignity and participation promised by the CVRA, they were sidelined to protect Epstein and the powerful figures around him. The episode stands as one of the clearest examples of how prosecutorial discretion and political pressure can render victims’ rights laws toothless when influential defendants are involved.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

4 Okt 40min

The New York Times filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) seeking access to sealed records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s death, arguing that the public has a right to know what happened inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the lead-up to his demise. The lawsuit specifically demanded internal documents, surveillance logs, and other materials that could shed light on why such a high-profile inmate was left vulnerable despite warnings about his safety. By pushing the case, the Times framed the government’s secrecy as part of a broader transparency crisis, suggesting that withholding the records only fuels suspicion surrounding Epstein’s death.The BOP, however, resisted releasing the files, citing privacy and security concerns, which only deepened criticism that the federal government was stonewalling. For many, the case symbolized the ongoing fight to pierce the veil of silence that has surrounded Epstein since his arrest, and the Times’ lawsuit became another flashpoint in the debate over whether institutions are protecting the truth—or covering up negligence and complicity. The outcome of the battle was seen as critical not just for understanding Epstein’s final hours, but for testing how much accountability the public could actually demand from the agencies charged with overseeing justice.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

4 Okt 37min

Jeffrey Epstein was protected by many, many different people throughout his life. From politicians to law enforcement, it seems that no matter where the dice landed for Epstein, he never crapped out. One of the offices that should have been all over Epstein and his behavior is the New York State Prosecutors office that was led by Cy Vance. Yet Epstein was able to dictate his terms and do as he pleased. The question is...why? to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.vox.com/2019/7/11/20690320/jeffrey-epstein-new-york-manhattan-nypdBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

4 Okt 12min

In the UK, allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell centered on claims that they trafficked and exploited young women on British soil, further expanding the scope of their international abuse network. Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked to London in 2001, where she was photographed with Prince Andrew at Maxwell’s Belgravia townhouse, a picture that became one of the most damning symbols of the scandal. Maxwell, with her British social connections, was accused of acting as Epstein’s recruiter and facilitator, using her influence and status to introduce him into elite UK circles while allegedly procuring girls for abuse.These accusations shook the British establishment, dragging royalty and prominent figures into the fallout as questions mounted over how Epstein and Maxwell were able to operate so openly within high society. Both were accused of leveraging the UK as a playground for their trafficking ring, exploiting power, wealth, and connections to silence scrutiny. The allegations not only placed Andrew in the spotlight but also ignited criticism of British institutions that had enabled or ignored Epstein and Maxwell’s activities, turning the scandal into an enduring stain on the UK elite.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

3 Okt 15min

Vicky Ward has also spoken about how her reporting on Jeffrey Epstein was later pitched to The New Yorker, but the magazine ultimately declined to pursue the story in depth. Ward has suggested that despite the seriousness of the allegations she uncovered, the piece never gained traction within that outlet, reflecting the same pattern she faced at Vanity Fair—powerful figures like Epstein being shielded by editorial caution and institutional hesitance. For Ward, it was another instance where the truth about Epstein was sidelined, leaving his predatory behavior hidden behind layers of influence and reputation management.The failure of The New Yorker to move forward with her material has since drawn scrutiny, especially as Epstein’s crimes became undeniable years later. Critics argue that such editorial decisions allowed Epstein to continue exploiting victims while the media, knowingly or not, became complicit in protecting his image. Ward herself has characterized these experiences as emblematic of the broader problem: wealthy, well-connected men could lean on their power to keep journalists and publications from exposing them. In hindsight, the missed opportunity by The New Yorker is seen as part of a troubling media pattern that delayed accountability and enabled Epstein’s longevity.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

3 Okt 34min