Not to defend Epstein, of course, but just to comment on the power brokering side. My understanding is that a power broker gets power by staying close to the power and by connecting people. I don't understand why powerful people need such broker, even though history shows other wise.

Same as any broker of stocks, houses, spouses, jobs, airline tickets.

The broker connects people, especially in the pre-Internet / young Internet days . The clients at ebsuy doing their main activity.