Jeffrey Edward Epstein is an American financier, science and research philanthropist, and registered sex offender. Epstein began his career at the investment bank Bear Stearns, before forming his own firm, J. Epstein & Co. In 2008, Epstein was convicted of soliciting an underage girl for prostitution, for which he served 13 months in "custody with work release". Meaning he was allowed to spend 16 hours a day outside of prison. He lives in the United States Virgin Islands.