Chapter Nine: Above Your Pay Grade

Who was Hugh Hefner? Centerfold models, Playboy Bunnies, and other women from the Playboy founder’s inner circle, like TV personality and author Holly Madison, tell journalist Amy Rose Spiegel their side of his story. We hear how Playboy changed their lives, for better and for worse. Beyond the bunny tails are darker questions: What actually went on at the notorious Playboy Mansion? How can we square Hefner's progressive legacy with his abuse of vulnerable people? What can the Playboy saga tell us about sex and power—then and now? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

That Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide was a relief to the world’s most powerful men – including the British Royal Family and the President of the United States – is beyond dispute. His silence puts an end to fears of embarrassing revelations in court, which in turn raises suspicions that he did not take his own life at all. Could Epstein have been an international spy silenced by his handlers? We examine all the circumstances and conspiracies around Epstein’s sudden death, ask why he was taken off suicide watch and how he gathered the materials to end his life, and probe into what his passing means for his victims and for those accused of complicity in his crimes. We will answer the question on everyone’s minds: Who actually killed Jeffrey Epstein? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate, and the witness to his first suicide attempt, breaks his silence. In this world exclusive interview, the cellmate reveals what he saw in graphic detail, including how Epstein was blue in the face and feet, how the guards mocked the unconscious Epstein as they dropped him from hip height to the ground, and the sound his skull made as it cracked on the floor. We learn of the conditions in the Metropolitan Correctional Center: rats, cockroaches and no toilet paper; and of the inmates who threatened Epstein, those who protected him, and how the guards treated him.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeffrey Epstein was released from prison in 2010, but the fight for justice never stopped. Years later, he was hit with a barrage of civil cases that would eventually result in his arrest in July 2019 on sex trafficking charges. We now focus on the July 6th police raid of his Manhattan townhouse, the extraordinary cache of explicit evidence found there, exactly what the new charges are, and what revelations the new trial was set to uncover...including the testimony Epstein may have been preparing to give. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Police interviewed dozens of victims of Jeffrey Epstein and recommended a charge of at least four counts of unlawful sex with minors. But, in a scandalous miscarriage of justice, Epstein was allowed to plead guilty to soliciting prostitution – a plea deal that has been described as an example of a “defendant and government working together against the victims.” Sentenced to 18 months in prison, he was housed in his own wing, allowed out for 12 hours a day, and granted visitors, including women. Alexander Acosta, the State Attorney who brokered the deal, says he was told Epstein was “above [his] pay grade” and to “leave it alone”. Who was pulling the strings? Acosta was a member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet until after Epstein’s arrest, when he resigned. In this episode, attorneys and investigators who worked on that case at the time explain how Epstein got away with his sweetheart deal – and why it was a massive mistake.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeffrey Epstein’s sordid world was finally exposed when a mother contacted the Palm Beach Police Department with an allegation that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to his mansion and paid $300 to strip and massage him. It was the beginning of a 13-month investigation that would not only lay bare the extent of the billionaire’s perversions, but would expose an underground, underage sex ring involving some of the most powerful men in the world. In the words of Epstein’s victims, listen to the disturbing details of what police uncovered. Victim attorney Spencer Kuvin recalls how the investigation unfolded.WARNING: This episode contains graphic content. Listener discretion is advised.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who exactly is Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, best friend, and alleged sidekick Ghislaine Maxwell? We profile the heiress who is said to be complicit in Epstein's crimes and introduced him to powerful men including Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton as well as Britain's Prince Andrew. Will she face justice? Where is she? And what does the Russian mafia have to do with all of this?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No longer living in fear, Jeffrey Epstein’s former employees have come forward to reveal what they witnessed behind closed doors – for the very first time. His longtime chauffeur gives an exclusive interview that delves into Epstein's young female passengers and his confessions to friends of paranoia and sick perversions. The woman tasked with finding Epstein and Prince Andrew young massage therapists in New Mexico shares stories from inside the infamous estate, and other ranch hands explain why they could not go to the authorities about what they witnessed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In January 2015, Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleged that as a 17-year-old she had been held as a sex slave by Jeffrey Epstein – and was not only abused by him and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, but was trafficked to many high profile and powerful men. Maxwell denies it, but Virginia's diary contains horrifying details of her time with Epstein, and how he used her to procure other underage girls for himself and his friends. In this episode, we dive deep into Virginia’s diary to see what it reveals about Virginia, Epstein, Prince Andrew, and the failure of the American justice system to protect girls like her. Plus, listen to long-buried police victim interviews with several other young girls who had a similarly horrifying tale to tell.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One notorious member of Jeffrey Epstein’s circle was Prince Andrew, second son of the Queen of England and eighth in line to the British throne. Andrew met Epstein in the 90s, introduced by Ghislaine Maxwell. In 2001 a photograph was taken in Epstein’s home showing the Prince with his arm around 17-year-old Virginia Roberts, who later stated Epstein had coerced her into sexual relations with the Prince on several occasions. The Palace denies it, but who to believe? In an exclusive interview, Epstein’s New Mexico massage therapist recruiter, reveals a never-before-told eyewitness account of Prince Andrew’s time in the desert compound – with a different beautiful young woman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.