I had a good friend that was accused of sexual harassment

[tulipsandroses]

The first time he was accused, like everyone else that knew him, I defended him. There is no way he could have done this. He is being set up.
(This was happening at work) I said he was being set up by someone that was out to get him. Then there was a 2nd accusation. It was still hard to believe. By this time I was having doubts, but I thought he was an " easy target" - very friendly, like a big brother to me and so many others. But I was still uneasy, and started to rethink my stance - Then there was a 3rd accusation - caught on tape. There was no denying it.
He still tried to lie his way out of that one. He quit before he could be fired.
After hearing about the video, I never spoke to him again. I never called him. He called me once to explain himself and I did not take his call. He left me a message and I never called him back.
Not only did I not want anything to with him, I felt so betrayed. I felt lied to. I felt that I had been used as well, to give him some legitimacy amongst those he ended up harassing.
My point in this, is all these people that had so much contact with Epstein that claimed they had no idea are lying. Everyone reacts differently, but think about how you would feel if someone you were friends with did something so heinous, how would you feel about it? Not only would you be repulsed, as I was, I think many people would have the same reaction of a sense of betrayal and hurt - realizing that the friendship you thought you had was all a lie because this person was not who you thought at all.
That appears to be missing from all these folks that claim they had no idea what Epstein was up to. The others that continued their friendship after knowing what he did have no excuse other than they are also involved, corrupt in some other way and did not mind being friends with this repulsive person for financial gain.