Jeffrey Epstein's Little St James Island to Become Luxury Resort
The infamous island once owned by Jeffrey Epstein is set to undergo transformation into a high-end resort.
Jamie Bailey
- 2024-01-05
- Updated 04:48 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - Little St James, the 75-acre island owned by financier Jeffrey Epstein, has been sold with plans to redevelop it into an opulent resort. Located near the southeastern tip of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, the island, once a retreat for the rich and powerful, became the focus of global scandal following accusations of criminal activities. A 2023 complaint from the Virgin Islands' attorney general detailed allegations of "sexual servitude, child abuse, and sexual assault" on the private island. Epstein, who had purchased Little St James in 1998 for under $8 million, was a registered sex offender in the Virgin Islands since 2010, and had extensively developed the property with non-native vegetation and luxury amenities before his 2019 death by suicide in prison.
Past and Future of the Island
Little St James, once a secluded getaway, reportedly hosted notable figures including Stephen Hawking, Chris Tucker, and Bill Clinton, with David Copperfield purportedly proposing to Claudia Schiffer there. Epstein's ownership saw a staff of roughly 70 people maintaining the island's mansion, pool, tennis court, and other upscale features. However, the island's reputation was marred by Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit accusing Epstein of operating a global grooming scheme, involving transportation of victims to the island. In the wake of his scandal and subsequent death, the island drew a grim form of tourism, prompting Google Maps to remove images of the island in 2021. Following Epstein's death, a legal settlement required his estate to pay $105 million and contribute to environmental restitution, signifying the end of one chapter for Little St James and the start of its transformation into an exclusive resort destination.
Legal Repercussions and Settlements
The sale and future of the island are entwined with extensive legal proceedings, including a 2024 ruling naming up to 200 Epstein associates, and a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, which settled for $75 million without admitting fault, over alleged facilitation of Epstein's crimes. The Virgin Islands' authorities have faced considerable challenges in investigating the full extent of Epstein's activities, confounded by Epstein's tight control over communication and alleged intimidation. Meanwhile, the revelations surrounding the island have led to scrutiny over the role of financial institutions and high-profile individuals in Epstein's network.
