Jeffrey Epstein estate reaches settlement with US Virgin Islands

The settlement includes the return of more than $80 million in tax benefits that one of Epstein's companies obtained fraudulently, to fuel his criminal activity, George said.

Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photo taken for the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry (photo credit: REUTERS)
Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photo taken for the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry
(photo credit: REUTERS)

Jeffrey Epstein's estate has reached a nine-figure settlement with the US Virgin Islands to settle claims the late financier used the territory as a base for his decades-long sex-trafficking operation.

Denise George, the territory's attorney general, on Wednesday said the estate will pay $105 million in cash plus half the proceeds from the sale of Little St. James, a private island where Epstein had a home and allegedly conducted many crimes.

The settlement includes the return of more than $80 million in tax benefits that one of Epstein's companies obtained fraudulently, to fuel his criminal activity, George said.

Daniel Weiner, a lawyer for the estate, in a statement said there was no admission of liability, and the estate's executors denied wrongdoing.

"The settlement is consistent with the co-executors' stated intent and practice since their appointments to those roles--to resolve claims related to any misconduct by Jeffrey Epstein in a manner sensitive to those who suffered harm," Weiner said.

Jeffrey Epstein looks on during a status hearing in his sex trafficking case, in this court sketch in New York (credit: REUTERS/JANE ROSENBERG)
Jeffrey Epstein looks on during a status hearing in his sex trafficking case, in this court sketch in New York (credit: REUTERS/JANE ROSENBERG)

George first sued the estate for civil penalties and asset forfeitures in January 2020.

Jeffrey Epstein's death

Epstein, a registered sex offender, had killed himself five months earlier in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.