GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS v. ESTATE OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN Civil Enforcement Action — Filed January 15, 2020 Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas
On January 15, 2020, Denise N. George, then-Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands, filed a sweeping civil enforcement action against the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, along with more than a dozen associated entities and shell companies. The complaint alleged that Epstein used his private islands — Little St. James and Great St. James — as the base of a decades-long enterprise of sex trafficking, forced labor, and sexual abuse of minors.
BACKGROUND AND JURISDICTION: The USVI government asserted jurisdiction based on the extensive criminal activity that occurred on territory under its authority. Epstein purchased Little St. James in 1998 and Great St. James in 2016. Both islands are located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. territory. The USVI Attorney General brought claims under the USVI Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (CICO), modeled after the federal RICO statute, as well as consumer protection statutes and common law theories.
KEY ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleged that from at least 2001 through 2018, Epstein and his associates engaged in a pattern of criminal activity that included:
1. Trafficking of young women and girls — Epstein transported victims to Little St. James using private aircraft and boats, where they were subjected to sexual abuse and assault. The complaint alleged that victims were brought from the United States mainland, Europe, and other locations.
2. Forced labor — Workers on the islands, including some who were minors, were allegedly subjected to labor conditions that violated territorial and federal law. The complaint described surveillance systems, restricted communications, and confiscation of passports and travel documents to prevent escape.
3. Obstruction of justice — Epstein and his associates allegedly took active steps to obstruct investigations, including the destruction of evidence and intimidation of potential witnesses. The complaint cited instances where computer servers were removed from the island prior to law enforcement searches.
4. Exploitation of USVI economic incentives — Epstein's shell companies, including Southern Trust Company, received significant tax benefits under the USVI Economic Development Commission program. The complaint alleged that these entities were used to facilitate and conceal criminal activity rather than for legitimate economic purposes.
NAMED ENTITIES AND SHELL COMPANIES: The complaint named numerous Epstein-controlled entities including Southern Trust Company, Plan D LLC, Hyperion Air Inc., Maple Inc., and others. These entities held title to the islands, operated aircraft, and managed financial flows. The complaint alleged that the corporate structure was deliberately designed to obscure the true nature of Epstein's operations.
DENISE GEORGE'S ROLE: Attorney General Denise George's decision to file the complaint was significant given the USVI government's prior relationship with Epstein. Epstein had cultivated relationships with USVI officials and had been a donor to various island causes. George's filing represented a break from the territory's prior posture. However, George was subsequently terminated from her position in January 2023, reportedly under pressure related to her office's handling of a proposed settlement with JPMorgan Chase.
SETTLEMENT AND RESOLUTION: In November 2023, the USVI government reached a $105 million settlement with JPMorgan Chase, which had maintained banking relationships with Epstein entities. The broader civil enforcement action against the Epstein estate resulted in the forfeiture of both private islands and various other assets. Little St. James was subsequently listed for sale.
SIGNIFICANCE: The USVI civil complaint was one of the first major government enforcement actions following Epstein's death in August 2019. It provided a detailed public accounting of the scope of Epstein's island operations, the corporate infrastructure that supported them, and the role of USVI territorial resources in facilitating his activities. The complaint's allegations regarding passport confiscation, surveillance, and isolation of victims on the islands added substantial detail to the public understanding of Epstein's methods.