Do friends of rich people have no shame?

[NotDarkGothicMama]

Reading about the Epstein files, the first thing that struck me was the awful photo of Andrew kneeling over what looks like a very young woman, looking extremely pervy.

The second thing was the emails from people like Fergie and Peter Madelson's husband asking for money. "I need 20 grand for rent, today." "I need 10 grand for an osteopath course." Have they no shame whatsoever? Surely if you're friends with a rich person, you're very careful not to mention financial needs so they don't think you're only after their cash? Let alone actually ask for handouts!

It is what it is
>stupid is as stupid does

Peter Mandelson has always lived beyond his means, going right back to the first time he resigned for lying about his income on his mortgage application. (how many times is it now?)

He's always been vulnerable to blackmail and a blatant security risk.

vulnerable to blackmail and a blatant security risk
> or is he?
That IS simply what he wants the people to believe
> gets in the paper, story written - gets paid for the exposure

These appalling people live in an ethical, moral, and self-awareness vacuum. If they are happy to hang out with a paedo they’d think nothing of taking money from him - indeed, that might be the very reason they want to be friends with him - for what he can give them. Sex and money and power are everything to them.

Are we sure all of that money was a gift?
Epstein's main line of work was as a financial advisor so speaking about money was a given.
I assume that Epstein edvised on investments, controlled accounts etc etc.
Epstein seemed to attract wealthy, well known people (handy for investing) who, in turn, helped attract more wealthy investors.

Epstein spent money on Fergie, it seems, but gained a contact who would help garner more business. He was a businessman. Shrewd, sly, successful, charismatic and now, if we are to believe it, connected to espionage!

Dumbos Andrew and Fergie were duped, clever people were duped; possibly blackmailed etc etc. With hindsight, Fergie and Andrew are a disgrace, going to Epstein for financial worries. We are yet to know how Epstein offered his baits. Did he make it sound like their investments were doing so well that it was hardly any favour at all?

Andrew should spill all that he knows to authorities investigating the abuse of women by Epstein.
Pictures show Andrew on a firstaid course, so far, and Fergie chatting on and over sharing with a financial advisor who was "well respected' by the wealthy of the World..

I think Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandleson are two shameless people generally. Boris Johnson is the same - remember he borrowed money off a rich friend to pay for decorating No10. Very odd.

I saw that photo on facebook and didn't think it looked much like Andrew, frankly. It looked like something cobbled together and was bizarre.

Apart from that, it does seem to have a been a completely different world to the one most people, including well off people, occupy. Totally hedonistic, like something out of a potboiing novel or TV drama from years ago.

A lot of people aren’t bothered about sexual abuse as long as it isn’t happening to them, look at all the people who support rapists and sexual abusers in their own families.

I think they were probably dumb and thick enough to imagine they knew enough about Epstein and that he’d be easy to pressure for money because of it. Just enough sense not to outright blackmail him, and gushing emails to keep him on the hook.

I imagine they thought that if it came down to it they would be believed not him. After he was convicted, and they’d seen him just get a slap on the wrist, because someone influential had pulled the right strings, they probably still thought they had the upper hand. He’d be so grateful they’d stuck with him that of course he’d stump up cash.

Epstein probably asked for things in person that we’ll never find out about because he kept paper trails but he didn’t leave them. I for one think it went way beyond sexual exploitation.

I guess: Epstein makes it known he's keen to give favours, the payoff is policy influence- it's a way to give gifts to a politician without it being so traceable?

I think there were favours being done in return for the money, maybe even just keeping quiet.

Everyone here does realize that you can be completely disgusted at Epstein and his peadophile famous friends AND question the details like the PP has done?

Just because she is asking a question about this does not mean she is equally appalled by the larger issue. Seems like this concept may evade some people.

Because these were not friendships, they were transactional relationships. Epstein had access to young girls and money. His "friends" had access to connections and social power.

Yes, look at those men who treat women like crap but would kill a man who did that to their own daughter.

You’d never know from Epstein’s emails that he’s classed as some money-making super brain. I still can’t work out where his wealth came from.
And I know it’s dated but the look of the inside of his homes, they are so, so drab.
What his main job seemed to be was hooking very wealthy and powerful people so that they could indulge in what now seems to be a prevalent pastime - abuse. And it stretches beyond teenage girls to younger children now.
They are all up to their necks in it. Bill Gates, one of the wealthiest men to exist, was in these homes. Did he never notice the cameras? His poor ex wife.
I don’t think the cameras were just there for Epstein’s viewing. I think they were there for blackmail purposes, and selling information to another political leader. Small man, likes invading Ukraine.
I was brought up to support the Royals, but the whole thing turned me sick. The late Queen made a grave error paying off Virginia.
How much did she know?
To me, Andrew is just an entitled pervert. He won’t be the only one on his family, which is why he’s so angry.
Ferguson is a greedy, deluded pervert. Offering herself in marriage? Do me a favour.
I had a chat with a friend who has a psychology degree and she said it’s almost a pathology. These very rich powerful people thrive on risk and pushing boundaries.
Very few are happy with a wife/partner, or even with one and add a few side pieces.
They immerse themselves in this world of no boundaries, because their power places them above the law and rules of society.
I think it’s always been the same.
When I think back on Jimmy Saville, my stomach churns. A pal of Thatcher and the then Prince of Wales, he had access to so many vulnerable people and children.
As for Fergie saying her daughter was on a ‘shagging weekend’ it’s mad that this woman, once a Duchess, who would probably look down on the rest of us, speaks like that about her own child.
I am glad to lead a very ordinary, boring, anonymous life.

The case with the Norwegian Royal family this week gives an insight...

The Crown Princess of Norway (by marriage) had an email that was part of the files, that showed her asking Epstein directly for advice on whether should get her 15 year old son- a man about to go on trial for rapethis week- a surfboard with naked women on it.

The crown prince is not the sons father and he is not in line to the throne, but still shows the types of relationships he was able to build with people.

There are freeloaders at every level of society. When my aunt and uncle (sociable generous people) came into an inheritance, it was amazing how many "friends" they had, as long as they were paying for big rounds of drinks and meals at the local Yacht Club. When they had frittered away most of their money, and my aunt had health issues, their circle of friends was much smaller, and guess what, none of the people supporting them were the ones who had happily helped them spend their money.

No, people like this have no shame, just a huge sense of entitlement that they should have all the best things in life without working for it. Most of them wouldn't have a clue how to support themselves or look after themselves IRL.

Well I think the grossest thing from the latest dump is Bill Gates looking for antibiotics from JE to surreptitious give to Melinda for a STD he picked up & passed in.
At least now we know the true reason for the divorce.

We are relatively wealthy, and it’s interesting - some people just are freeloaders and will shamelessly ask to “borrow” money, suggest expensive meals out that we know they aren’t planning to contribute to, ask for high value gifts etc.

As far as I can tell they think that it’s just luck that we have more money, or that we won’t miss it anyway, or they are just people who lurch from crisis to crisis and look for others to solve the problem.

None of the people who have asked us for money have any compromising material on us (we are very boring!), and they don’t have any influence that we’re trying to buy, they just see us as wealthy and so ask for money.

So I’m not sure that the requests for money by themselves prove that they were blackmailing him/he was buying influence - it just proves that those people are shameless about asking for things.

Especially when he apparently has the sort of finances which mean "he has no recollection " whether JE paid him 75k or not.

This is an odd one - the evidence shows that JE drafted an email alleging this, but there’s no evidence that email was actually sent, so maybe it was a threat/a draft idea of a blackmail claim he could make rather than a real event, I don’t think we know for sure.

@DreadPirateLucy it’s an odd one.
My first thought was those doctored bank accounts Martin Bashir showed Princess Diana, but would any government do the same?
I used to think not, now I have no idea.
They are all so greedy and nothing comes first free does it?
I watched Mandleson’s very pious interview with the BBC a few weeks ago and realised it’s a deny-until-you-die format.
Not one of them has stood up and told the truth.
Just read some comments sections on the DM and posters thinks the girls made an active choice and chose a lifestyle. Get on with it.
One girl has said Epstein threatened to kill her parents. I believe her. If world figures were wary of him, those poor young girls stood no chance.
Not much on Trump yet. I have no doubt he was involved. He’s an absolute creep but he’s never tried to hide it, has he? He makes my skin crawl.

Doesn’t account for wealthy people asking for money from other wealthy people for things like rent which is what the OP is asking.

Why?

Many people can't resist a hand out, no matter how much it compromises them. Look at our current leaders.

One of the most disturbing things about the Epstein files is that they contain a huge array of vile accusations, but it’s mainly being treated as salubrious gossip (I don’t mean you OP).

The FBI has confirmed that more serious images and content has been held back - but don’t seem to be interested in taking action.

There were some pretty appalling entries re Trump but the collective reaction seems to be meh, we knew he was a creep. Other than the MAGAs of course who all just claim it’s fake news.

I suspect King Charles was given an idea of what could be in the files, and that’s why he took pre-emptive action on Andrew.

There are lots of big names in the files which really underscores the point that rich and powerful men can do whatever they want, with rarely any consequences. Not unless they piss off someone who’s even more powerful, of course.

I knew there was a corrupt underbelly but it’s so much worse than I imagined (call me naive).

A few people who are out of favour like Mandy and Andrew are bearing the focus of attention. They’re not innocent, but they’re far from being the only guilty parties.

There’s a lot redacted and a lot withheld - and let’s not even mention how late the release was. A cynical part of me might suggest that it’s been released now because the ICE shitshow has been the main concern for many in the US.

It seems there will never be a proper investigation and the men involved won’t ever be called to face justice. And not many people seem to really care - there’s just a general acceptance that Trump and others won’t ever be charged, or even properly investigated.

But in answer to your point OP, I just never realised how differently some of our society lives. I don’t think the divide is rich/poor, I think it’s a power divide. I know plenty of wealthy folk who don’t live like this. I think powerful people can be different, there’s often a sense of entitlement.