EPSTEIN'S INFAMOUS ISLAND SOLD
Once the private refuge of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Little St James Island has been sold to develop a luxury resort.
Charlie Kennedy
- 2024-01-09
- Updated 08:50 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Little St James, a 75-acre private island in the US Virgin Islands, notorious for its previous owner Jeffrey Epstein, was sold in May 2023 for less than half the asking price to a wealthy investor. The island, which has come under scrutiny for the criminal activities reported there, features a variety of landscapes with coral reefs, forested areas, and dramatic geographic features. Acquired by Epstein in 1998, the island was later described by the US Virgin Island's attorney general as a location for trafficking. Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein, was convicted of related sex trafficking charges and sentenced in June 2021.
EPSTEIN'S LEGACY AND LEGAL BATTLES
Jeffrey Epstein, who registered as a sex offender in the US Virgin Islands in 2010, used shell companies for transactions, including the purchase of Little St James, where he began elaborate construction projects from 2007. The island, equipped with a range of facilities including a main compound, mansion, and leisure amenities, also played host to prestigious guests. Despite its beauty and significant development, the island is more infamously known as a site of alleged sexual abuse and trafficking of women and underage girls. Epstein's control over all aspects of the island, including communication and security, created a secluded and fortified atmosphere. A staff of approximately 70, bound by confidentiality, supported the island's regular functioning while Epstein entertained various high-profile guests. Allegations that political figures like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump visited the island have added to its notoriety, although Clinton has denied such claims and Trump's visits remain unconfirmed.
THE AFTERMATH OF SCANDAL AND JUSTICE
Following Epstein's death in prison in 2019, later confirmed as suicide despite reported irregularities in his custody, the US Virgin Islands filed lawsuits that have contributed to significant financial settlements. A lawsuit against Epstein's estate resulted in a $105 million settlement in November 2022 plus additional proceeds from the island's sale. This aims to compensate the government and address environmental damages. JPMorgan Chase also settled allegations of complicity in trafficking for $75 million in September 2023. Today, Little St James has attracted attention as a dark tourist attraction and interest among online content creators, while the sale of the island for redevelopment seeks to pivot from its past, marked by criminal activities, to a future of luxury and leisure.
The transformation of Little St James Island represents both an attempt to erase a dark chapter of its history and the resilience of the US Virgin Islands in addressing past wrongdoings and moving toward redevelopment. The sale and planned construction of a luxury resort signal a new beginning for a place burdened with a troubled legacy.
