Via Americas Lawyer:RTs Brigida Santos joins Mike Papantonio to break down a report showing how Jeffrey Epsteins company Southern Trust managed to secure over $200 million in funding even AFTER hed been convicted of pedophilia.
Transcript:
*This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos.
Mike Papantonio:Newly disclosed financial statements reveal the Jeffrey Epsteins company raked in nearly $200 million in revenue after, after he was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution. The documents provide a glimpse into the mysterious finances of the deceased sex offender. RTs, Brigida Santos joins me now from Los Angeles with the story. Brigida, what can you tell me about Epsteins company, this Southern Trust where all this mysterious money seems to be rolling in?
Brigida Santos:Well, Epstein launched Southern Trust in 2012 just years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. It operated out of an office in the Virgin Islands and allegedly worked on developing a DNA mining service to help pharmaceutical companies reduce the need for clinical trials. The company was Epsteins attempt at rebranding himself and rebuilding his business after his previous company, Financial Trust, suffered massive losses in the financial crash and lost its biggest client. Epstein was also trying to rehabilitate his image after registering as a sex offender. Southern Trust ended up earning him nearly $200 million in revenues over a five year period, despite all the scandals surrounding him.
Mike Papantonio:Yeah. Epstein had this love affair and they seem to have a love, love affair with Epstein, with MIT, Harvard, Yale. Its like, its like theyre, whenever he asked for money or whenever they asked him for money, there was always this access that he was able to build and all of a sudden hes going to be this science guy. But then when you take a look at the interviews that they did with some of these folks involved in these, in these creepy little projects, you understand they all regarded him as a little, as a dope. I mean, somebody who had no insight at all into the scientific issues that, that he was trying to put himself out front on. Who was, who was paying Epstein all this money Brigida?
Brigida Santos:Well, thats a great question. Its still unclear. We dont know what kinds of customers Epstein worked with after switching from Finance to this new alleged DNA research company. What we do know based on the documents is that Epstein likely switched his companys focus to avoid registering with federal securities regulators as required under the Dodd Frank act. Now, if Financial Trust did not manage money, it would not have to register, even though Epstein told officials that the company would still have a financial arm. In 2013 Southern Trust also earned him a 10 year 90% tax break from the Virgin Islands economic development commission. So he really knew how to game the system, go through loopholes and make money work for him.
Mike Papantonio:Well, heres the interesting thing. Any, most of the time, for example, in this law firm, we always want to know who were doing business with. It doesnt take anything but a little bit of due diligence to find out this man wasnt just accused of one incident, he was a pedophile. For all practical purposes, anybody looking into the story knew that he was a pedophile, knew that he had been given a sweet heart deal by the DOJ for no good reason, understood all the facts that he was having sex with 14 year old girls.
And nevertheless, these science organizations thought it was interesting enough to say, hey, lets listen to him. And you know what? Maybe its a two way street. Maybe we get more money from Epstein and we give him money on the back end of it. Its, its, its gonna be interesting to be able to follow this money. Its also been revealed that Epstein secretly owned a second private Island in addition to a little St James in the Caribbean. What can you tell me about that?
Brigida Santos:Epstein acquired his second island known as Great St James Clay after tricking the owner into thinking that the buyer was a Dubai businessman tied to the Royal family. Now Epstein did this because the owner of that Island did not want to do business with Epstein after hearing testimony from underage victim after underage victim. So Epstein set up an opaque limited liability company to secure the $22.5 million sale. The Dubai businessman whose name Epstein used, that man said that he forbid Epstein from using his name on the shell company, but that Epstein did not listen. Now even with these new details, the mystery behind how Epstein made his fortune remains.
Mike Papantonio:Well, you know, the real part of this story thats, its becoming more and more troublesome is its all of these names that were attached to the Epstein ugly, ugly story. Now, after his death, the media, its like the typical corporate media. Theres not a shiny thing there anymore. Theyve revealed the names. You know, weve seen Dershowitz. Weve been seeing Bill Clinton, weve seen Trump. I could go on, you know, Prince Andrew, we can go on forever, but all of a sudden the media is not paying attention to it anymore and thats where the story is.
The, the, the follow-up to this story ought to be, why is it that MIT allowed Epstein to give so much money to MIT after they understood that the guy was a hopeless chronic pedophile that should be in prison? Why did Harvard do that? Why did all these science organizations say, yeah, his moneys just as good even after we knew that he was a pedophile? Its still a mystery to me. Maybe you can shed some light on it, Brigida. Why is it that we have a culture that was so accepting of this disgusting pedophile, simply because he had some money up front? Whats your take?
Brigida Santos:Unfortunately, money does drive everything, especially at these schools. You know, the former director of the MIT media lab said that he would take the money even today, and knowing what he knows about Epstein. It seems like they need this money to do their research and they dont care where it comes from.
Mike Papantonio:Yeah. Well thats sure played out itself on the Epstein story, but this is another angle and that is where is this mysterious $200 million coming from? Whos keeping Epstein alive after they know that hes a disgusting pedophile? Thank you for joining me.
Read the rest here:
- Farallon Islands - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2016]
- Private Islands - AWE - awetv.com [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2016]
- Petra Island - New York, United States - Private Islands ... [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- Grasshopper Island - Ontario, Canada - Private Islands for ... [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- Buck Island - BVI, Caribbean - Private Islands for Sale [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- ORRO Private Collection The Name That Changed Diamond ... [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2017]
- Best Private Islands: Belize's Cayo Espanto [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2017]
- President Obama Is Posted Up with His Hat Backwards on Richard Branson's Private Island - Esquire.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Obama now holidaying on Richard Branson's private island - SBS [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Photos: Obama at Richard Branson's private island - The Mercury News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Obama spotted on holiday in Richard Branson's exclusive private island - International Business Times UK [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Frommer: Dumbing down the cruise experience - News Chief [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Vomo Island Fiji Luxury beach resort and spa [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- How 30000 pieces of bamboo came together to create the private island of Cempedak - Web In Travel [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Tavanipupu Private Island Resort, Solomon Islands: The South Pacific's best kept secret - Blue Mountains Gazette [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- 5 Reasons the Cruise Lines' Private Islands Are Travelers' Favorite Ports - Travel Agent [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Islands for Sale in United States - Private Islands Online [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- A Private Island in the Bahamas for $8.9 Million - Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- 8 Best Caribbean Cruise Line Private Destinations - Cruise Fever [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Song Saa, Cambodia: Private island comfort at a new level - Ballarat Courier [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Seven island houses where you can shut out the world - AOL Money UK [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Your own private island for 7000: Seven of the most luxurious new ... - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Nobody at the NFL Combine is winning the island for their 40 time, sorry - SB Nation [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Royal Caribbean Signs Investment Agreement With Bahamas, Plans to Enhance Private Island CocoCay - Cruise Critic [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- A Cruise Line Commits To Developing Private Island in The Bahamas - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Private Islands - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel's Laucala Island honeymoon - Daily Times [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Fiji's astounding revival after Cyclone Winston - Gourmet Traveller Magazine Australia [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Dubai to Build $1.7B Man-Made Islands - Hospitality Net - Hospitality Net [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- This Destination Wedding Venue on a Private Island Is Actually AffordablePromise! - Brides.com [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Casual! Kim Kardashian Rented An Entire Island For Kanye West's 40th Birthday - ELLE [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Inside Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's $145 Million Empire: Private Islands, Record-Breaking Tours and More - E! Online [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Books to read on escape, or help you escape - San Francisco Chronicle [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- Private islands of the rich and famous - AOL UK [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- The Great Caribbean Private Destination Race - TravelPulse [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2017]
- London family who built a Greek island getaway: unspoilt Meganissi ... - Homes and Property [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- Blackfire RED Aims to Save Consumers From 'Entertainment Islands' - StreamingMedia.com [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2017]
- Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel's Honeymoon Needed No Filter - Observer [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2017]
- 5 idyllic private island retreats - CNN International [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- Luxury travel: The most remote resorts in the Philippines - CNN [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2017]
- World's Most Private Island Resort Opening September 1, 2017 ... - Benzinga [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- 5 Hotels With Private Islands - Successful Meetings [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2017]
- Development Beyond Learning: Breaking Rules and Igniting Leadership at Light-Speed on Sir Richard Branson's ... - Business Wire (press release) [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Peek at the private island for cruisers that just got a major makeover - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Turneffe Island Resort Private Diving & Fishing Resort ... [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- National Harbor Is a Private Urban Island Designed for FunIf You Can Get There - Washington City Paper [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Four Caribbean Properties Named Among Five Idyllic Private Island Retreats - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Think a private island is just for Bond villains and billionaires? This Gwynedd estate is up for rent and you won't ... - Daily Post North Wales [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Four Resorts for a Private Island Vacation - New York Times [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Private Ocean Islands [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Are Private Island Cabanas Worth It? - TravelPulse [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- The surprising places where tourism is growing fastest - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Four resorts for a private island vacation - MyAJC.com - MyAJC [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- 10 private islands you can rent from $400 a night - 9Honey [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2017]
- Four resorts for a private island vacation - The Seattle Times [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Now you can buy your very own private ISLAND in the middle of the Pacific but it'll set you back a cool 5000000 - The Sun [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- 10 Private Islands Starting at $5 Million You Could Call Home Today - TheStreet.com [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Bamboo Private Islands [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- From elite retreat to public treasure, Jekyll remains the same - The Brunswick News (subscription) [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2017]
- Historic Scottish castle with two private islands yours for 3.75m - Deadline News [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2017]
- This Private Island Off the Coast of Maine Could Be Yours for $8 Million - TownandCountrymag.com (blog) [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2017]
- $1.9M Private Lake Tapps Island Up For Sale: Wow! House - Patch.com [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2017]
- Avoid the food, and other jet-set tips - Independent Online [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Dream Cabins: Four-level log home on private island listed for $1.99 million (slideshow) - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Celebrate Eid at Niyama Private Islands - Trade Arabia [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2017]
- Forget a Hotel RoomYou Can Rent These Private Islands for Just $300 a Night - Reader's Digest [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2017]
- You can now rent an entire Caribbean private island on Airbnb - Metro [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2017]
- Recruiting clients for an advisory board - Travel Weekly [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Locals try to win second largest Powerball jackpot of $700M - KXII-TV [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Australian Islands | Private Islands Online Australia [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2018] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2018]
- Private Island Holidays & Resorts | Oxford Private Travel [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- UPDATED: 12 private islands for sale in Florida [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- Private Islands - AWE [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2018]
- The Legal 500 Caribbean 2019 > British Virgin Islands ... [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2019]
- Pumpkin Key - Florida, United States - Private Islands for ... [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2019]
- Eagle Lodge Private Islands of Georgia Private Island ... [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2019]
- Private Islands - Official Site [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2019]
- Islands for sale - Private island homes - Bankrate.com [Last Updated On: March 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 24th, 2019]
- Eight Private Islands for Sale Perfect for Long-Term Getaways [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2019]
- Private Islands AWE - awetv.com [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2019]