Representative Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI) has deeper connections to Jeffrey Epstein than she initially acknowledged while pushing for a resolution to censure him. This comes to light after a report indicated that Plaskett referred to Epstein merely as a “voter” during a congressional hearing in 2019, even though recently released files from Epstein’s estate prompted discussions about potential House sanctions against her.
It turns out that court evidence shows Epstein and his associates contributed at least $30,000 to her campaigns across three election cycles. Plaskett, a lawyer who moved to the Virgin Islands in 2005, first encountered Epstein while he was running for Congress in 2014 and was identified as a “potential donor.”
She mentioned meeting him at least once and having several phone conversations. However, in a deposition from 2023, when asked if their interactions reached ten times, she stated, “I don’t remember.”
In June 2014, then-first lady of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cecil de Jong, reached out to Epstein for support in getting Plaskett elected, citing the need for financial backing. At that time, Epstein had already pleaded guilty to sex crimes in 2008.
Documents related to a lawsuit involving JPMorgan Chase showed Plaskett’s acknowledgment of campaign donations from individuals linked to Epstein from 2014 to 2020. During a 2018 visit to Epstein’s home, contributions were made, including $2,600 from Leslie Groff and $10,700 from Epstein’s lawyer, Darren Indyke, with similar amounts from other associates.
Besides fundraising for her campaigns, Plaskett also approached Epstein for support for the U.S. Virgin Islands Democratic Party, securing $13,000 from him. She attempted to secure an additional $30,000 for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee but faced challenges, noting she did not have the details about why it didn’t materialize.
In a deposition from five years later, she claimed that Epstein was sitting at a long table during their discussions shortly before his arrest in 2019. Although Plaskett said she was unaware of the specifics surrounding a questionnaire related to Epstein’s status, she noted that she redirected all donations connected to him to women’s groups in 2019.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are investigating Epstein’s financial transactions worth more than $1 billion, and House Republicans are urging the Virgin Islands government to disclose more information on its dealings with him.
The legal dispute between JPMorgan Chase and the U.S. Virgin Islands concluded in September 2023, with JPMorgan agreeing to pay $75 million, which includes significant sums aimed at local charities and anti-human trafficking initiatives.
The revelation of Plaskett’s ties to Epstein prompted Representative Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) to introduce a censure vote against her. Despite the motion’s defeat, he emphasized that the facts surrounding the donations and interactions would remain essential to hold her accountable. Plaskett did not provide immediate comments following the report.
During her exchange with Michael Cohen in 2019, Epstein notably praised her performance afterward, saying, “Well done.”
