Banks, estate & money
How the territory where he lived became his most effective pursuer, and the texts that embarrassed its delegate
RECORD / AT A GLANCE
Documented
Documented. The territory’s suits produced some of the largest Epstein recoveries, and its earlier tax breaks to his companies are part of what it sued over. None of the settling parties admitted wrongdoing. The Plaskett texts are documented; a censure failed.
THE EVENTS / THE INVESTIGATION / THE STORY
Jan 2020
The Virgin Islands attorney general sues the estate, alleging trafficking on the islands.
30 Nov 2022
The estate settles for over $105 million plus half the proceeds of the islands’ sale.
Jul 2023
Leon Black settles with the territory without admitting wrongdoing.
26 Sep 2023
JPMorgan settles.
18 Nov 2025
A House censure of Delegate Stacey Plaskett over her 2019 texts with Epstein fails, 209–214.
READ THE FILE
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THIS FILE
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The Virgin Islands alleged his companies obtained more than $80 million in tax benefits fraudulently, then recovered over $105 million from the estate.
Who says it: The territory’s attorney general.
Delegate Stacey Plaskett exchanged texts with him during the February 2019 Cohen hearing. A censure failed 209–214.
Who says it: Released records; House vote.
OPEN THE RECORD
Numbered citations in each article identify the relevant sources. These records have different purposes and evidentiary weight.
The territory’s account of its civil racketeering case and settlement. A party’s statement.
Wire report.
Report on the failed censure vote.
The official vote record.
Report on the $62.5 million settlement.
Wire report on the territory’s settlement.
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Money and tax breaks.
The territory alleged that Epstein used his companies, including Southern Trust, to obtain more than $80 million in tax benefits fraudulently while running a trafficking operation from Little St. James. The estate paid more than $105 million, half the proceeds of any island sale, and $450,000 to remediate Great St. James, without admitting liability. [1][2]
The territory’s critics point out that the same government granted his companies those tax breaks for years. Both are true. [1]
What we can’t tell you. No admission of liability.
The territory’s account of its civil racketeering case and settlement. A party’s statement.
Wire report.
What the delegate did.
Released records show Stacey Plaskett, the territory’s non-voting delegate to Congress, exchanged texts with Epstein during a February 2019 House hearing at which Michael Cohen testified. Republicans moved to censure her; the resolution failed 209–214 on 18 November 2025. Plaskett defended the exchange, saying Epstein was a constituent and that she was taking in information from many sources. [1][2]
What we can’t tell you. Texting during a hearing is not a crime; the question is judgment.
Report on the failed censure vote.
The official vote record.
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