St. Thomas, V.I. – On January 15, 2020, the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands Denise N. George filed a civil enforcement action on behalf of the government against Jeffrey E. Epstein’s estate, his 1953 Trust and five associated entities based in the Virgin Islands. The lawsuit alleges that that Jeffrey Epstein and these associated entities participated in carrying out an expansive scheme of trafficking and sexually abusing young women and underage girls in the Virgin Islands. Through the lawsuit, the Virgin Islands seeks civil penalties, damages, injunctive relief, forfeiture of Epstein’s islands, and restitution for his victims.
In November 2019, the Executors of the Estate filed a motion to establish a voluntary fund (“Epstein Fund”) to resolve sexual abuse claims against Epstein.
Last week, the Government of the Virgin Islands filed a motion to intervene in the Epstein Estate proceedings in the Virgin Islands Probate Court and opposed the creation of the Epstein Fund, as proposed by the executors. As laid out in that legal filing, the government alleges that the current Epstein Estate executors have set certain parameters for the proposed fund which are inconsistent with the laws of the Virgin Islands and wholly inadequate to effectively protect the rights of the victims who seek compensation and those who might come forward in the future. In opposing the proposed Epstein Fund, the Attorney General seeks to ensure that the administration of the Epstein Estate conforms to the laws of the Virgin Islands, that his assets are fully identified and made available, transparently and with due consideration and respect for the probate process, to all of those with claims against his Estate, including the Government of the Virgin Islands.
“As a prosecutor, a Virgin Islander and a mother, I am appalled and broken-hearted at the crimes that Epstein allegedly committed here. The victims of his crimes should have a fair opportunity to obtain redress for what they have suffered. I expect that some victims will want an expedited process that provides compensation – however incomplete – for the harm done to them. I respect that.” said Attorney General George.
“In addition, I have a broader responsibility,” added the Attorney General. “My duty is to insist on a fair, independent and lawful process for the women who have been able, with counsel, to assert their claims, not only against the Epstein Estate but against other perpetrators who may be identified.” Attorney General George continued, “Equally, my job is to make sure that justice is done in a manner that comports with Virgin Islands law and that the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands as well as the victims are protected.”
In a filing in probate court, the Attorney General laid out several concerns regarding the proposed Epstein claims fund. Said the Attorney General, “any resolution process must protect all of Epstein’s victims and permit full accountability for those involved in his alleged crimes. It is time, at last, that the full truth come out.”
Finally, the Attorney General emphasized, “The Virgin Islands cannot change the past, but we can act now to enforce our laws, to hold Epstein accountable, to guide how victims are cared for and to protect all of our children from the scourge of human trafficking and sexual exploitation now and in the future.”
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Note: The Probate Division of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands will hold a hearing this Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. AST at Barbel Plaza South, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2020
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340)774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov