Disgraced, deceased sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Victims of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Virgin Islands, accusing the territory of enabling Epstein's sex trafficking operations. This legal action comes shortly after a $75 million settlement was reached in a similar case against JPMorgan Chase & Co., involving the USVI.
Filed in a New York federal court on Wednesday, the complaint alleges that Epstein received special treatment and privileges in the U.S. Virgin Islands, contributing to the proliferation of his sex crimes. The lawsuit claims that Epstein, with the assistance of USVI government officials, trafficked young women and girls, using his private jet to fly them in without proper visas.
The class-action suit states that Epstein's criminal activities involved a broad network of co-conspirators, including many USVI government officials and staff. This network allegedly played a crucial role in victimizing hundreds of young women and girls.
The lawsuit names several former USVI officials as defendants, including ex-Governors John de Jongh and Kenneth Mapp, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, former attorney general Vincent Frazer, and former Senators Celestino White and Carlton Dowe.
Following its lawsuit against JPMorgan, the USVI is now embroiled in litigation spotlighting details revealed during that high-profile case. Epstein, who was a JPMorgan client until 2013, had significant influence in the USVI, as evidenced in the JPMorgan lawsuit.
Represented by attorney Jordan Merson, the victims, identified as Jane Does, seek unspecified monetary damages for violations of federal sex trafficking laws. Merson emphasized that the lawsuit aims to hold accountable those responsible for the sexual abuse endured by the women.
Emails submitted as evidence in the lawsuit show that Epstein was a significant donor to political campaigns and actively lobbied for alterations in sex-offender legislation to serve his interests. Additionally, he had hired the former first lady of the USVI, Cecile de Jongh, as his office manager, and she reportedly served as his political representative, as indicated in the documents presented in the JPMorgan case.
The complaint accuses Epstein of using his influence over government and border officials to manipulate immigration rules and maintain his sex trafficking operation. It alleges that Epstein ensured the entry of two plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 2 and 3, into the territory despite their expired visas, demonstrating his significant sway over local authorities.
The lawsuit further details an incident from 2003 or 2004, where Jane Doe 4 claims she was sexually assaulted in Epstein’s office located in the Red Hook marina area of St. Thomas. The suit alleges that this assault occurred within the hearing range of Mrs. de Jongh, an associate of Epstein.
In addition to this lawsuit, another class-action suit by an Epstein victim was settled with JPMorgan in June for $290 million. The current case, titled "Jane Doe v. US Virgin Islands," continues in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
