Epstein Records Targeted in Expanding Probe by Virgin Islands

(Bloomberg) -- The Virgin Islands has expanded its document search in a racketeering lawsuit against the estate of deceased sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein, issuing new subpoenas last week after demanding records from six financial institutions in July.

Carol Thomas-Jacobs, the territory’s chief deputy attorney general, said in court filings Aug. 24 she has subpoenaed Epstein-related records from American Foreign Exchange Inc. and Narrows Holdings LLC.

The prosecutor wants records and account statements from American Foreign Exchange tied to more than two dozen “Epstein Entities” since Jan 1, 1998 until the present, according to court filings. From Narrows Holding, the territory seeks “documents and electronically stored information or objects,” along with “permit entry onto the designated premises,” records show.

American Foreign Exchange and Narrows Holding couldn’t be immediately located for comment. A spokeswoman for the Virgin Islands Attorney General’s office didn’t immediately return an email seeking comment about the new subpoenas.

Denise George, the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, sued Epstein’s estate and six related companies in January, alleging violation of the territory’s civil racketeering law. It is seeking unspecified damages, forfeiture of Epstein’s private island in the territory and restitution for his sexual abuse victims.

Authorities on the island are also conducting a criminal investigation into whether Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell participated in his criminal sex-trafficking ring. Maxwell was arrested in July in a separate probe involving similar charges brought by the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan. She has pleaded not guilty. Epstein was found dead in his federal jail cell about a year ago after the U.S. charged him with sex-trafficking.

Last month George asked the six financial institutions for account statements, deposit and withdrawal slips, information about the source and destination of funds, and the identity of those requesting the transactions. She is also seeking internal bank memos, phone records, internal correspondence and documentation of any internal due diligence or investigations related to the accounts.

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