It wasn't secret, just not published publicly. Epstein went to the Media Lab and hobnobbed with people there, had them over to his house, went to their houses,

It wasn't secret, just not published publicly. Epstein went to the Media Lab and hobnobbed with people there, had them over to his house, went to their houses, etc. So when people were skeptical of him, he would say "Oh have you met my dear friend Joi Ito, he is the Director of the MIT Media Lab." Other people thought, "Oh hm, this guy is legit." Creating an aura of respectability around him which gave him easier access to young girls, because he was seen as trustworthy.