{
  "id": 17867107,
  "title": "BOOK EXCERPT: The Devil Wears Sneakers — Epstein and the network that allowed him to flourish",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/book-excerpt-the-devil-wears-sneakers-epstein-and-the-network-that",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T22:44:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-03-the-devil-wears-sneakers-epstein-and-the-network-that-allowed-him-to-flourish/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Journalist Hazel Friedman examines the complex role of the media in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation in her book \"The Devil Wears Sneakers\". The release of the Epstein files was expected to reveal a larger truth hidden behind years of political administrations. However, the Department of Justice facilitated a chaotic release of documents, leaving many gaps and unanswered questions. Despite the media's potential to uncover corruption, they too had vulnerabilities, with journalists sometimes collaborating with the subjects of their investigations. Epstein's network was built on a foundation of privilege and influence, with money serving as the currency to gain access and power. Some institutions, such as JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, failed to identify and report suspicious transactions related to Epstein, despite accumulating evidence of potential trafficking. These financial institutions were later held accountable, receiving settlements from Epstein survivors.",
  "summary": "The media played a paradoxical role in the Jeffrey Epstein saga, writes investigative journalist Hazel Friedman. ‘At its best, journalism accomplished what prosecutors, politicians and regulators repeatedly failed to do: prise open a case powerful people had spent years trying to bury. Yet journalism had vulnerabilities of its own.’ In her book The Devil Wears Sneakers, Friedman shares the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Media release of Epstein files chaotic, leaving gaps and unanswered questions",
    "Journalists collaborated with Epstein subjects, violating journalistic integrity",
    "Financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase failed to report suspicious transactions"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}