OCCRP: Much of the frenzied Jeffrey Epstein commentary over the past two weeks has focused on individual examples of moral depravity.But there’s a wider, more systemic story here.

Posted on February 13, 2026 by michelleclarke2015
February 13, 2026

Greetings from Amsterdam,

Much of the frenzied Jeffrey Epstein commentary over the past two weeks has focused on individual examples of moral depravity. But there’s a wider, more systemic story here. As Seva Gunitsky, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, has argued, the documents “suggest a reframing of Epstein’s case from one man’s crimes to transnational geopolitics.”Viewed through this lens, Epstein’s incredible collection of powerful and influential contacts, from tech billionaires to FSB officers, perfectly exemplifies a new transnational elite — one that has “built fortunes by moving money across jurisdictions, leveraging kompromat, and treating governments as service providers instead of sovereigns.”Epstein’s role shows how this class of operators has been enabled by willing Western partners. Our recent reporting offers three snapshots of how that works.Start with Senegal: the documents trace a years-long relationship between Epstein and Karim Wade, son of former President Abdoulaye Wade and once one of the country’s most powerful ministers. After Wade’s corruption conviction, his team sought help lobbying in Washington — and turned to Epstein for guidance.Then Venezuela: emails show Epstein buying bonds tied to PDVSA, the state oil company, on the advice of Francisco D’Agostino — a Chávez-era insider now wanted by Venezuelan authorities on money-laundering and criminal-association charges.Epstein’s social capital also paid dividends back in New York. Emails indicate he worked to secure employment at the International Peace Institute — a respected policy institution tied to the United Nations — for a Russian romantic partner. He may even have subsidized her pay.The commonality in these vignettes is not sex, and it’s not even ideology. It’s the indispensable role of powerful intermediaries who can turn money into legitimacy, access, and impunity — not to mention a powerful reminder of how much of this brokerage usually happens in the dark.The analysis above is a free preview of our upcoming OCCRP PRO membership, a new offering tailored to professionals who rely on our investigations for work in finance, law, compliance, risk management, policy, and related fields. Interested to learn more? Let us know and tell us what you need! Your feedback will directly shape the services we build.OCCRP Exclusive
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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