Perversion of Justice

The Jeffrey Epstein Story

By: Julie K. Brown

Narrated by: Julie K. Brown, Julia Whelan

The New York Times Bestseller

“A gripping journalistic procedural… Spotlight meets Erin Brockovich.” —Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times

“Julie K. Brown's important book offers not just a definitive account of the Epstein case, but a compelling window into her own experiences as a dogged reporter at a regional newspaper, facing off against powerful interests set against her reporting.” —Ronan Farrow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Catch and Kill

Dauntless journalist Julie K. Brown recounts her uncompromising and risky investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's underage sex trafficking operation, and the explosive reporting for the Miami Herald that finally brought him to justice while exposing the powerful people and broken system that protected him.

For many years, billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's penchant for teenage girls was an open secret in the high society of Palm Beach, Florida and Upper East Side, Manhattan. Charged in 2008 with soliciting prostitution from minors, Epstein was treated with unheard of leniency, dictating the terms of his non-prosecution. The media virtually ignored the failures of the criminal justice system, and Epstein's friends and business partners brushed the allegations aside. But when in 2017 the U.S Attorney who approved Epstein's plea deal, Alexander Acosta, was chosen by President Trump as Labor Secretary, reporter Julie K. Brown was compelled to ask questions.

Despite her editor's skepticism that she could add a new dimension to a known story, Brown determined that her goal would be to track down the victims themselves. Poring over thousands of redacted court documents, traveling across the country and chasing down information in difficulty and sometimes dangerous circumstances, Brown tracked down dozens of Epstein's victims, now young women struggling to reclaim their lives after the trauma and shame they had endured.

Brown's resulting three-part series in the Miami Herald was one of the most explosive news stories of the decade, revealing how Epstein ran a global sex trafficking pyramid scheme with impunity for years, targeting vulnerable teens, often from fractured homes and then turning them into recruiters. The outrage led to Epstein's arrest, the disappearance and eventual arrest of his closest accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and the resignation of Acosta. The financier's mysterious suicide in a New York City jail cell prompted wild speculation about the secrets he took to the grave-and whether his death was intentional or the result of foul play.

Tracking Epstein’s evolution from a college dropout to one of the most successful financiers in the country—whose associates included Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and Bill Clinton—Perversion of Justice builds on Brown's original award-winning series, showing the power of truth, the value of local reportage and the tenacity of one woman in the face of the deep-seated corruption of powerful men.

A must read!

The story is absolutely insanel, the writing is top notch, i could not put it down. Quality story telling, highly recommend.

Julie's determination and courage stood out. She makes America a very special place.

I don't usually write reviews, but I felt compelled to jot down a few words. Julie did a great job in covering this story. I can't imagine the kind of courage (and patience) it took to see this story through. This is the kind of reporting we need in America, the kind of reporting that the rich and powerful would do anything to destroy. I related with her on many different levels. We need 10,000 more Julie Browns! She is an American treasurer.

Great work of investigative journalism.

Clearly the author is an accomplished journalist. Well researched and written. Fascinating topic, there is so much we don't know about Epstein.

An Investigatory Magna Opus

Doggedly researched, gripping probe into the facts and circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s massive assault on underage girls. Well done. Only wish JKB painted herself as a stronger and more competent woman in the glimpses she provided into her personal life. That is, if she advocated for herself as strongly as she does for Epstein’s victims, it would have left an even more favorable impression of her professional work.

Best investigation

this was a very compelling, so interesting and the investigation was so detailed and it kept you listening to every word and amazed at the findings. A must read. Julie K. Brown is a great author.