Wealthy and well-connected, Jeffrey Epstein mingled with the powerful before he died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His federal criminal case has continued to generate intense interest during President Donald Trump's administration.

New emails released Nov. 12 appear to show Epstein discussing Trump, who had a longstanding friendship with the disgraced financier but later kicked him out of his private club. In one of the emails, Epstein wrote that Trump "spent hours at my house" with one of the victims. In another, Epstein said Trump "knew about the girls."

The White House called the email release a "smear" and Trump said on social media that Democrats are trying to "deflect" from other issues.

The emails and other records connecting Epstein to Trump, including a lewd birthday letter given to Epstein that Trump allegedly signed, have increased public scrutiny on the men's relationship and on Epstein's sordid story. It includes vast wealth, high-profile connections, a criminal conviction and further allegations that preceded his suicide.

How did Epstein get rich?

Epstein worked as a math and physics teacher in his early 20s before he joined the former Wall Street firm Bear Stearns. He went on to found his own money management firm, J. Epstein & Co. He later changed the company’s name to The Financial Trust Co. and shifted its headquarters to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 1993, Epstein founded Financial Strategy Group Inc., a company based at his Palm Beach, Florida home, online financial records show.

A 2019 court document from Epstein's sex trafficking case revealed he listed his total assets at the time at $559 million. The total included $56.5 million in cash, $14.3 million in fixed income, $112.7 million in equities and nearly $195 million in hedge funds and private equities, plus his real estate holdings.

Epstein owned six properties, according to another court document, including a luxury townhouse in New York City, a five-bedroom home in Palm Beach, a sprawling New Mexico property and a Caribbean island. He also owned 15 vehicles, including a Bentley, a Cadillac Escalade, seven Chevrolet Suburban SUVs, a Chevrolet Express cargo van, a Hummer, two GMCs and a Land Rover Range Rover.

What was Epstein convicted of?

A police investigation into Epstein began in March 2005 after a woman from the Palm Beach area in Florida said a wealthy man had sexually abused her 14-year-old stepdaughter.

In July 2006, Epstein was indicted by a grand jury on a felony charge of soliciting prostitution, which did not address the 14-year-old victim's age. He was arrested and spent one night in Palm Beach County jail, and was released the following day on $3,000 bond.

Epstein pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution in 2008 and became a registered sex offender.

What was Epstein later charged with?

Epstein was back in court in 2019, facing federal charges of sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy based on accusations from 2002 through 2005.

The federal indictment alleged Epstein "sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes" in Manhattan and Palm Beach, and at other locations. Epstein paid some of his victims to recruit more underage girls, according to the indictment. He faced up to 45 years in prison.

Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on the sex trafficking charges.

Who did Epstein associate with?

Epstein was known to throw lavish parties and invite people to join him on his private island. He was linked to celebrities, politicians and billionaires.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released documents on Sept. 26 from Epstein's estate that mentioned high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly known as Prince Andrew) and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Former President Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's private plane. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers was also associated with Epstein.

Trump's relationship with Epstein has been under increasing scrutiny. Democrats said the new emails that were released raise questions about what Trump knew about Epstein.

"These two were very close, so the question is what did Trump know and when did he know it?" Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, said on CNN.

The Trump administration's handling of documents related to the Epstein case has caused an uproar, including a push by members of Congress to obtain the records.

Lawmakers seeking to force a vote on the full release of the Epstein records garnered the final signature they needed on Nov. 12 when the House swore in Arizona lawmaker, Democrat Adelita Grijalva. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will vote on the measure next week.

Contributing: John Bacon, Kevin McCoy, Jorge L. Ortiz, Bart Jansen, Janna Herron, Kinsey Crowley, Holly Baltz and David Jackson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Jeffrey Epstein? What was he convicted of? What to know about Trump emails.

Reporting by Zac Anderson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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