Renewed scrutiny is unfolding in the Virgin Islands following the release of Department of Justice documents that include text exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and Governor Albert Bryan Jr., as well as correspondence in which Delegate Stacey Plaskett referenced Epstein as a “friend,” prompting a former lawmaker to call for a public legislative investigation.
Former Senate President Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg has written to Senate President Milton Potter urging the 36th Legislature to convene a “full, public investigation” into Epstein’s activities in the Virgin Islands. In his letter, Donastorg calls for examination of “both the economic and social impacts of Epstein’s presence” in the territory, specifically referencing “the tax exemptions and special concessions granted by the USVI government.”
His request follows reporting by CNN detailing text message exchanges between Epstein and Governor Albert Bryan Jr. related to construction enforcement issues on Little St. James and Great St. James. According to correspondence included in the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent release of millions of Epstein-related documents, Epstein reached out to Bryan in April 2019 after the Department of Planning and Natural Resources issued violations tied to unauthorized development.
“I’m told that JP is now going to issue fines against me,” Epstein texted on April 9, 2019. “He is not aware of any fines,” a man identified as “Albert” responded. “He mentioned a notification of violations but I asked him to hold everything until he and the attorney spoke to me.”
Days later, Epstein sought a meeting. “I can heli to stx if you have time,” he wrote. “Albert” responded that he would be in St. Thomas that weekend. “Can you spare 15 minutes,” Epstein asked. “For u absolutely…tomorrow afternoon,” came the reply.
“Albert” suggested meeting at “Erika’s office,” believed to be Epstein’s attorney Erika Kellerhals. The identity of “Albert” appears corroborated by reference to a luncheon with the League of Women Voters on the same day — an event Governor Bryan is documented as attending.
Donastorg’s letter also attaches email correspondence from the DOJ’s document release showing discussions between Epstein, former First Lady Cecile DeJongh, and Kellerhals regarding electoral strategy in the Virgin Islands. In a June 19, 2014 email, DeJongh wrote to Epstein: “We are trying to get Stacey Plaskett elected to Congress.” She added, “We would have a friend in Stacey.”
The emails discuss fundraising targets, stating that Plaskett would need to raise $75,000 between June and August 2014, while Bryan’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign would require $1 million between August and September 2018. In August 2018, Epstein asked, “does albert really have a chance?” Kellerhals responded, “Yes he definitely has a chance,” outlining strategy and stating, “Not only do we have to deal with Mapp but…also need to take down donastorg…I’m fairly confident we can.”
Separate reporting in February 2026 detailed additional correspondence between Delegate Stacey Plaskett and Epstein. According to documents released by the Department of Justice, Plaskett used the pseudonym “LeRoy Daughter” in a May 5, 2017 email to Epstein proposing that he fund a one-year project to “create a new voter file” for the Virgin Islands. The goal, she wrote, was to compile updated data on voters to assist with “messaging and campaign work.”
“This project would allow us to completely outperform anyone in any race,” Plaskett wrote. “Jeffrey, would really appreciate your support in the project and thoughts on our home and national scene.”
The correspondence indicates Plaskett was working on the initiative with James McGee, described as a longtime political consultant to Epstein. In a May 2, 2017 email, McGee wrote to Epstein that the initiative served “two (2) very important purposes,” including to “Protect, Reinforce, and Continue to Build Upon Stacey's currently very strong political position and the High Favoribilty [sic] Ratings she currently has ahead of next year.”
McGee stated, “I can tell you the end results of this project is a model/mechanism that puts us, Stacey, and a potential candidate at a tremendous advantage over the field.” He added, “I know Stacey appreciates it.”
According to the documents, McGee was paid $15,000 per month by Epstein under a consulting contract included in the files. He also made proposals in 2012 about acquiring a radio station and newspaper in the Virgin Islands to influence the “narrative” and “have an impact on the territorial elections,” though those purchases did not materialize.
The DOJ document release also includes text exchanges between Plaskett and Epstein in September 2018. “I know you’re tremendously busy. Thanks so much for taking time and sharing ideas and thoughts. I appreciate your support and hope I’m not presumptuous to consider you a friend,” Plaskett texted. Epstein responded, “Privileged to be called friend [sic].”
In November, Plaskett told CNN that correspondence with Epstein did not constitute a friendship. “There are a lot of people who have done a lot of crimes. And as a prosecutor, you get information from people where you can. I’ve interviewed confidential informants, I’ve interviewed … drug traffickers and others,” she said. “And that doesn’t mean that I’m their friend. That doesn’t mean that they are friendly with me. It means that they have information that I need, and that I’m trying to get at the truth. And that’s what I did.”
Epstein established residency in the Virgin Islands in part for tax benefits and owned Little St. James and Great St. James, where numerous victims later alleged they were trafficked and abused.
In his letter to Senator Potter, Donastorg argues that the Legislature must act to restore public confidence. He writes that “Virgin Islanders continue to view leadership with a jaundiced eye,” and that a lack of transparency “breeds suspicion and erodes the very foundations of our democratic rights.”
“To do any less at this time only fosters an impression that will hurt our future and our potential progress,” Donastorg declared, urging the 36th Legislature to act “posthaste.”
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