I have cynically come to believe for the most part, that the powerful are by definition powerful simply because they can get away with the misdeeds you describe. IOW, they wield such enormous power in all societies and around the world, that they can do pretty much what they want.
It doesn't matter where their power derives from, through wealth, social position, elected office or via criminality, power is power. They have everyone else by the short hairs.
And if caught, they usually get off because of their money or connections or they can afford the attorneys who know other powerful people who can get them off or have their sentences reduced. And/or cut deals with some quid pro quo involved. Few really powerful people ever do prison time. The bad ones just step on any of the littles guys who get in the way like bugs.
This kind of behavior has always existed in human civilizations. Somebody owns the boots while everybody else suffers their necks. It's human nature.
I don't know who's going to get caught up in this Epstein scandal, but many of the rich and famous (and let's not forget, the powerful) will get off lightly or altogether and slither back into the darkness once again.
That "squishing" sound you hear is the rest of us being stepped on.
Very well stated.
Re jail time...Nunes said there would be trouble if they do not serve time.