Jeffrey Edward Epstein was an American financier and child sex offender, who victimized hundreds if not thousands of teenaged girls. Born and raised in New York City, Epstein began his professional career as a teacher at the Dalton School, despite lacking a college degree. After his dismissal from the school in 1976, he entered the banking and finance sector, working at Bear Stearns in various roles before starting his own firm. Epstein cultivated an elite social circle and procured many women and children whom he and his associates sexually abused.