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How Jeffrey Epstein Grew His Sex-Trafficking Ring
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- In 2001, 13-year-old Marina Lacerda from Astoria, Queens, was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein by an older friend from her neighborhood, who had also been introduced to Epstein through another local girl.
- Marina, from a modest Brazilian family, was enticed by the promise of $300 for giving Epstein a massage, despite being unaware of the full context and the wealthy environment she was entering.
- She recalls her first visit to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, noting the contrast between her everyday clothes and the opulence of the setting, including a massage room ceiling painted like the sky, which reminded her of comforting childhood memories.
- The narrative highlights Marina’s background, including her working-class upbringing and cultural neighborhood dynamics in Queens, emphasizing the stark social and economic disparities she encountered.
