Epstein's Infamous Island Changes Hands Amidst Dark Legacy
Once the notorious retreat for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Little St James Island now charts a new course after being sold in May 2023.
Jordan Taylor
- 2024-01-14
- Updated 12:10 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - Jeffrey Epstein's name is inextricably linked with Little St James, the 75-acre private haven off the southeastern tip of St Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands. Locally dubbed "Paedophile Island," the island has been associated with allegations of trafficking young women and underage girls and described by the US Virgin Islands' attorney general as a place which allowed Epstein and his associates to evade detection and prevent victims from escaping. Notorious for its exclusivity and privacy, the island sported features like a mansion, utility buildings, a helipad, tennis courts, palm-lined roads, and a striped "temple," all added after Epstein purchased the land in 1998. The island had a staff of approximately 70 people, all sworn to secrecy, fueling a secluded lifestyle for luxury-seeking visitors which included high-profile scientists, celebrities, and royals.
Transformation of Epstein's Properties
Following Epstein's arrest and subsequent death by suicide in prison in 2019, Little St James faced an uncertain future. Despite the disturbing past connected to the financier, who registered as a sex offender in the Virgin Islands in 2010 and anchored his shell companies there, the island has been sold to an investor, Stephen Deckoff. Deckoff, recognizing the property's tarnished history and potentially leveraging the tax haven reputation of the Virgin Islands, acquired both Little St James and the neighboring Great St James Island for significantly less than the asking price—at 60 million dollars—with ambitions to transform them into luxury resorts. With Deckoff’s purchase, the islands have begun to see a shift in persona, evolving from a private retreat into a spot that has attracted tourists and social media influencers alike. Nevertheless, investigations and lawsuits over the years, including one against JPMorgan Chase which settled for $75 million, have left an indelible mark on Epstein's legacy and the islands. The Epstein estate also concurred to pay the Virgin Islands government $105 million along with half the proceeds from this recent sale.
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