Well, I'll still try! Hopefully, this is passable at the least.
The Epstein Scandal
Few people got such a strange reputation than Jeffrey Edward Epstein . Initially a mathematics teacher, he would rise to become prominent in the finance sector along with rubbing shoulders with many influential and powerful people. He was known for that, as well as his thoughts and words on transhumanism. However, now he will be known for his notorious history of sexual abuse and scandals. In 2008, he would be charged for procuring prostitution involving a minor. Rumor said he tried to get a deal, but the federal attorney didn't budge on that. Namely because of what else was going, regarding the FBI. "Operation Leap Year" as it was known would be started in investing Epstein after some delays in being started along with other issues.
Epstein would eventually be tried in early 2009 and would be sentenced to life in prison, though it would be the beginning of what many would call the "Epstein Scandal." During the latter half of the investigation of Epstein, what was blowing up was the connection to the many many people connected to Epstein, especially with the testimonies reading sexual abuse and trafficking. The investigation was kept under tight wraps in trying to maintain and ensure quiet cooperation. However, word got out and it became a colossal scandal in how many people and organizations were conencted to Epstein in one form or another regarding the entire debacle. As such, this led to investigations on who could also be guilty of other crimes that occurred in association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Several big names were floated such as Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and Alan Dershowitz. The entire newsmedia was in a colossal circuit of scandal and so on, especially with the various names floated. Some of them were quickly dismissed given how they may have only known the guy briefly, but not have had any distinctive connections (as was the case when Matt Groening once traveled with him and Epstein had a girl massage his feet. Beyond jabs at the poor quality of his feet, there was no actual accusations aimed at him.) Regardless, the amount of names and investigations would be undertaken for a long period of time with some of the cases likely to be settled out of court.
The Prince Andrew aspect would lead to an intense scrutiny and complications regarding American-British relations. Naturally, they denied the entire thing. Interestingly enough, the Clinton one did not end up going anywhere as while he was present with the man, there was no evidence on Clinton. The same goes for real estate mogul Donald Trump. Unlike Clinton though, his troubles did not end there since while he appeared to not have been charged within with Epstein, investigators turned up with many allegations of sexual assault and subsequent suspicious financial activities, such as with Deutsche Bank. Eventually Trump would be jailed for five years for contempt of court and attempting to bribe the jurors and judges during the first couple weeks, meaning he would be sent to jail while further investigations would be going through. Trump would later die in prison after assaulted by a fellow inmate within the first year of his jail time. Trump's financial holdings would become the subject of scrutiny and examination by debt collectors and ongoing investigations such as possible charges for money laundering and fruad. Many Trump-associated companies and businesses would sink and losses would be reccoperated by selling off or liquidating the assets. The remaining assets would end up driving wedges against the Trump family. Alan Dershowitz meanwhile would also be sent to prison as further investigations would be ongoing. The only other major discussing point was the potential connections to the Saudi crown prince which in turn led to increased tension between the US and Saudi Arabia, the two's alliance growing colder.
The investigations would be another reflection of the decade, showing a growing suspicion toward the powerful and the wealthy. While there was a sense of vindication achieved with the arrest of Trump and the subsequent decline and dismantling of his company and subsidaries, the fact that were close calls in the investigations meant there was a growing call to hold white collar criminals and people like them more accountable. The Epstein scandal would have a continued effect in pop culture with the sight of sleazy powerful white collar criminals getting their comeuppance.