ST. CROIX — Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett may soon resolve a federal civil lawsuit linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a court document filed today.
Plaskett’s lead attorney, Eric Breslin, informed U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in a letter filed in the Southern District of New York that, following discussions with opposing counsel, the parties believe the case could be resolved soon.
In the three-sentence letter, filed in accordance with the court’s July 30 order, Breslin said the parties would submit proposed trial dates by next Thursday if a resolution is not reached.
Plaskett has denied all allegations in a second amended complaint filed May 13, 2024 by six women identified as Jane Does. They accuse her of participating in Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking operation through financial and non-financial support while he operated out of New York City.
Epstein, convicted in 2008 in Florida for procuring a child for prostitution, was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He was found dead in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial.
Five women initially filed a class action lawsuit on November 22, 2023, naming Plaskett and several former government officials as defendants. A sixth woman later joined the case, and the complaint was amended twice. The plaintiffs allege the Virgin Islands was made a safe haven for Epstein’s trafficking activities, aided by the political influence and actions of the defendants.
According to the second amended complaint, the defendants used their positions to pressure customs, Coast Guard, airport, and law enforcement officials to allow Epstein to transport individuals into the Virgin Islands for commercial sex acts without interference or consequences.
On March 21, Subramanian dismissed all claims except those against Plaskett. The other defendants included former Governors John de Jongh Jr. and Kenneth Mapp, former First Lady Cecile de Jongh, former Attorney General Vincent Frazer, former Senators Celestino White and Carlton Dowe (now Port Authority director), and 100 unnamed individuals referred to as John Does — allegedly including air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, police, and Coast Guard agents.
While the case moved forward solely against Plaskett, all claims against her in her official capacity were dismissed. Her motion to dismiss the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act claim was granted, but other claims were allowed to proceed.
The court ruled that Plaskett had sufficient contacts with New York in her individual capacity to be sued there, even though she lacked such connections in her official role. She is the only defendant alleged to have traveled to New York and solicited funds from Epstein in person.
In her April 4 response to the complaint, Plaskett asked the court to dismiss the case with prejudice and award her legal costs and other relief.
READ MORE: “Plaskett denies claims in complaint connected to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, files for dismissal”
The plaintiffs allege that Plaskett visited Epstein at his New York mansion to request $30,000 in campaign donations, which he and his associates provided. They further claim she solicited another $30,000 contribution to the Democratic National Committee, which was ultimately declined because Epstein had failed the DNC’s vetting process.
The suit also claims Plaskett’s role as general counsel for the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission — which approved $300 million in tax breaks for Epstein despite his sex offender status — led to her hiring at the law firm Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin PLLC.
In her response, Plaskett confirmed serving as general counsel for the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority, which oversees the EDC program, from approximately 2007 to 2012. She worked at Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin from 2013 to 2014 before being elected as delegate to Congress in 2014 and taking office in 2015.
