Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, had purchased a pair of islands in 1998 for $8 million. These islands, often referred to as the “Paedophile Islands” due to reports of Epstein hosting sex parties there, are now set to undergo a transformation into a resort, as per a report from the New York Post.
The islands, Great St. James and Little St. James, which were in Epstein’s possession, have recently been acquired by billionaire Stephen Deckoff, the founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, for $60 million in May 2023, according to Forbes. After more than a year on the market, the islands found a buyer, despite initially being listed for $125 million in 2021. The majority of the sale proceeds were earmarked to support compensation efforts for Epstein’s victims.
Jeffrey Epstein Island Resort spans across 230 Acres
As outlined in the Post’s report, the island resort is slated to be opened in 2025. Deckoff disclosed to Forbes that the resort will encompass 25 rooms and sprawl across more than 230 acres, with Little St. James covering over 70 acres and Great St. James spanning over 160 acres. Situated near the tourism hub of St. Thomas, the property already features amenities such as a helipad, multiple pools, and various guest villas.
Following the unsettling ownership history with Epstein, Deckoff expressed eagerness to collaborate with the US Virgin Islands to materialize the resort vision, stating, “I very much look forward to working with the US Virgin Islands to make this dream a reality,” subsequent to the widely reported deal.
Jeffrey Epstein‘s association with the islands cast a dark cloud over their reputation. Allegations emerged after his death, with several women stepping forward to assert they were trafficked to the islands and subjected to abuse.
These accounts surfaced when a New York judge unsealed documents linked to Epstein, including nearly 1,000 pages of depositions and statements. Among the mentioned individuals were former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, who were not implicated in any wrongdoing in the case.
The revelation is part of a defamation case between Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison, and a plaintiff, Virginia Giuffre.
Jeffrey Epstein, a well-connected financier in the US and internationally, faced accusations of sexually assaulting young girls. However, his death by suicide in a New York prison in August 2019 halted the legal proceedings against him.
