[roenxi]

Epstein might still be alive and the whole thing some sort of elaborate witness protection scheme to protect him from all of the people who want him dead. So there might not be corruption all the way to the top.

Corruption seems like an easier explanation though.

[onlyrealcuzzo]

This sounds like the plot of Michael Crichton's next thriller.

[LgWoodenBadger]

Michael Crichton generally wrote sci fi. Maybe you mean John Grisham or John LeCarre, or similar.