People are scratching their heads wondering how mogul Jeffrey Epstein managed to elude justice. The answer is simple, of course: he used elitism and all the perks that go with it. Moreover, this happens in America a lot more than we want to admit, but since we pride ourselves on equality, we tend to not see such things.

For example, Epstein had agreed to register as a sex offender ten years ago to avoid federal prosecution in Florida. And how did that work out? Well, he did register in Florida and in New York, although in NYC an attorney from the office of Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance tried to keep Epstein from registering as a top-level offender. The judge was gobsmacked:

“I have to tell you, I’m a little overwhelmed because I have never seen a prosecutor’s office do anything like this.”

The judge didn’t allow it, and labeled Epstein a Level 3 Sex Offender — the worst kind. As such, Epstein was required to check in with NYPD every 90 days. However, Epstein never complied in over eight years.

But that didn’t phase Epstein. Even though he owns a mansion that is palatial even by Manhattan standards, he slickly changed his official residence to the Virgin Islands. He owns the island of Little St. James, where, as SFGate reports, he would go to “escape from the toil of cultivating the rich and powerful.”

Epstein estate, Little St. James/Navin75/flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0. 

Then there’s his home in New Mexico.

Epstein owns the sprawling “Zorro Ranch” in New Mexico, on which he built a nearly-27,000 square foot house. Also on his property, along with two SUVs, are a Boeing 727 and a Gulfstream private jet. For good measure he also keeps two helicopters: a Bell 407 and a Sikorsky S-76.

But why New Mexico? It turns out that NM’s sex offender law is one of the most lenient in the nation. It does not limit where an offender can live, nor what kind of job he can hold.

What’s more, Epstein bought his property from Bruce King, a three-time governor of New Mexico. Epstein has long been connected to some of the Southwest’s most powerful political families. Elitism allowed Epstein to live like a king, and perhaps even use the remote Zorro Ranch for other crimes.

And then there’s one of the biggest mysteries of all: how did Jeffrey Epstein make all his money?

But while some believe that Epstein’s fortune came through earning favor with the powerful and wealthy, others suggest different theories. One claim is that he set up an enormous Ponzi scheme. Yet a sociology professor who’s been studying Epstein for years thinks he made his fortune through blackmail.

However Epstein came about his fortune, though, it seems that elitism allowed him to get away with behavior that would land schlubs like us in the slammer.

Elitism also allowed Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein to continue his sexual abuse until young reporter Ronan Farrow broke the story wide open. Even then, Farrow’s employer, NBC News, backed off from the story. Moreover, Weinstein threatened to sue Farrow. So Farrow shopped his story to The New Yorker, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Then there’s the Varsity Blues scandal, in which the wealthy and connected tried to buy their offspring admission into elite universities. However, “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin thought elitism would spare her prosecution from the charge of bribing college officials with $500,000. She pleaded “not guilty,” thinking the DA was “bluffing.” Both she and her husband Mossimo Giunnulli also were unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions.

Why? Because elitism.

Yet while we enjoy seeing monsters like Weinstein and arrogant idiots like Loughlin take a publicized tumble, how often do we allow our heroes leeway because of their elitism?

Like our favorite actors, for example. How many people at first refused to believe that Bill Cosby could rape women? And what about the foibles of singers, or sports stars — like favorite football players? Even some of our favorite politicians?

We think of ourselves as a society based on equality of all people, but sadly elitism runs through it like a nasty virus.

Featured image: hinshawhinshaw/condé nast/flickr/cropped/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.