Newly released court filings by JPMorgan Chase & Co. have shed light on the extent of Jeffrey Epstein’s financial involvement with the US Virgin Islands (USVI) government. The documents indicate that Epstein paid tuition for the children of the USVI governor and first lady, including a $25,000 bill for Skidmore College. JPMorgan, currently facing a lawsuit by the USVI accusing the bank of facilitating Epstein’s sex trafficking, argues that the government itself played a more significant role in aiding Epstein’s crimes. The filings reveal the close relationship between Epstein and Cecile de Jongh, who worked as Epstein’s office manager and facilitated money and influence within the USVI.
Challenging the Lawsuit and Unclean Hands Defense:
Despite recently settling a lawsuit by Epstein’s abuse victims for $290 million, JPMorgan continues to vigorously contest the USVI suit. The bank argues that the USVI government, including Cecile de Jongh, played a substantial role in aiding Epstein’s activities, thus asserting an “unclean hands” defense. The USVI has requested that the court disallow this defense, contending that it does not apply to government actors. Neither de Jongh nor a lawyer for the USVI has responded to these recent revelations.
Financial Influence and Political Connections:
JPMorgan alleges that the tuition payments made by Epstein to de Jongh’s children elevated her compensation as office manager to $200,000 in 2009. The bank asserts that in exchange for these payments, de Jongh provided Epstein access to the USVI’s political elite, who granted him valuable tax benefits and even involved him in discussions about legislation that could affect him. Email exchanges between Epstein and de Jongh reveal their collaboration regarding the USVI’s sex offender registration law and Epstein’s desire to avoid being categorized as a “predator.”
Efforts to Circumvent Restrictions and Visa Arrangements:
The court filings detail de Jongh’s assistance in helping Epstein obtain student visas for young women by arranging their enrollment at the University of the Virgin Islands. The emails show de Jongh inquiring about the enrollment status of these individuals and discussing their ability to pay. Additionally, the documents highlight Epstein’s direct communication with the USVI government regarding hurricane aftermath and financial assistance.
Public Scrutiny and Ongoing Inquiries:
The court filings also include email exchanges among USVI officials after Epstein’s arrest, during which they discussed inquiries from the New York Times about tax incentives granted to Epstein by the territory. Concerns were expressed regarding the potential public scrutiny resulting from these questions.
Conclusion:
The court filings by JPMorgan Chase & Co. provide new insights into the financial ties between Jeffrey Epstein and the US Virgin Islands government. The documents reveal the extent of Epstein’s influence and financial support, as well as the role played by Cecile de Jongh in facilitating his activities. As the lawsuit unfolds, further scrutiny is likely to be placed on the USVI government’s involvement and its responsibility in enabling Epstein’s actions.
