Jeffrey Epstein and Alan Dershowitz have been friends for many years after meeting in July, 1996 on Epstein's private jet to Martha's Vineyard. Epstein grew up in Coney Island, did not graduate from college, and became wealthy by owning luxurious houses, planes, and being surrounded by beautiful women. Dershowitz quickly found common interests with Epstein, discussing science, academia, and Harvard University. Epstein introduced Dershowitz to Leslie Wexner as his mentor in August, 1996, flying on Epstein's private jet to New Albany, Ohio for a party celebrating Wexner's fifty-ninth birthday. Dershowitz later described himself as an "intellectual gift" to Wexner from Epstein. In the 1970s, Epstein worked at Bear, Stearns before leaving in 1981 to start his own firm, J. Epstein & Co. In 1987, Wexner hired Epstein as his financial adviser and he later became Wexner's only publicly named client. The two men had a close relationship and it was reported that Wexner sold a seven-story Manhattan mansion to Epstein for one dollar in 1989. Epstein invested $30 million in Boston Provident in 1997, although the money is believed to have come from Wexner. In December 1997, Dershowitz attended a meeting with Epstein and Orin Kramer, founder of the hedge fund, where Epstein asked Kramer to accept an investment of about half a million dollars from Dershowitz. In 1998, the fund sustained enormous losses, and Epstein told Kramer that one of them would have to reimburse Dershowitz for his losses. Mr. Kramer agreed to restore Mr. Dershowitz's losses if Mr. Epstein left the remainder of the money he controlled in the fund. Epstein was known for hosting parties at his New York home and enjoyed the company of scientists, intellectuals, and Harvard University connections. He funded research into psychology and the history of science, became a member of the advisory board of the Harvard Society of Mind, Brain, and Behavior, and established an office in Brattle Square where he held seminars on contemporary academic ideas. Dershowitz said that he would debate mathematics, genetics, law, and psychology with Epstein and professor Steven Kosslyn, often cutting each other off during discussions because they "just get it."