The U.S. Virgin Islands has subpoenaed documents from Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter, Tesla, and SpaceX, as part of its case against JP Morgan, linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sex trafficking.
The Virgin Islands is also seeking communications between Musk and JPMorgan about Epstein and the convicted sex trafficker’s role with respect to Musk’s accounts, transactions, or financial management. The subpoena also requests information on any fees Musk paid to Epstein and/or JPMorgan, dating back to 2002.
The subpoena additionally aims to obtain “all Documents reflecting or regarding Epstein’s involvement in human trafficking and/or his procurement of girls or women for commercial sex” for the same period.
In its recent filings, the Virgin Islands does not level any accusations of wrongdoing against Musk. However, they regard him as a “high-net-worth individual who Epstein may have referred or attempted to refer to JPMorgan.”
‘Idiotic on So Many Levels’: Musk Responds
Responding to reports of the subpoena, Musk took to his own social media platform.“1. That cretin never advised me on anything whatsoever,” he added. “2. The notion that I would need or listen to financial advice from a dumb crook is absurd. 3. JPM let Tesla down ten years ago, despite having Tesla’s global commercial banking business, which we then withdrew. I have never forgiven them.”
The Virgin Islands filed its lawsuit against the banking giant on Dec. 27, 2022, over allegations that, for roughly a decade, it turned a blind eye to Epstein’s illegal activities on his Little St. James Island after he had been convicted of sex charges and concealing suspicious wire and cash transactions.
Accusing JPMorgan in a lawsuit, the government of the Virgin Islands claims that the bank played a role in facilitating the sexual abuse of minors by Epstein and knowingly gained advantages from his illicit actions. Epstein was a client of the bank for around 15 years.
JPMorgan has argued that it should not bear responsibility for the association between a former senior executive and Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in jail and awaiting trial on charges related to sex trafficking.
Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty and sentenced for her involvement in grooming young girls for Epstein’s abuse. Musk was pictured alongside Maxwell at a 2014 Vanity Fair Oscars Party. However, in a 2020 tweet, Musk said he does not know Maxwell and characterized her presence in the photo as a “photobomb” during the event, distancing himself from any personal acquaintance with her.
JPMorgan ‘Turned a Blind Eye’
According to then-Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George, the bank was “indispensable to the operation and concealment of the Epstein trafficking enterprise” and continued to offer its services to Epstein despite a sex abuse conviction in 2008 and the fact that employees at the bank had raised concerns over its relationship with him.“These decisions were advocated and approved at the senior levels of JP Morgan,” the lawsuit adds.
George also accuses the bank of having unfairly profited from its business with Epstein.
The lawsuit is pursuing unspecified damages based on allegations of violations of sex trafficking, bank secrecy, and consumer laws. It also asks for a court order compelling the bank to surrender the profits it obtained through its interactions with Epstein and his affiliated entities. The specific amount of damages sought is not specified in the lawsuit.
George said the lawsuit is part of an “ongoing effort” to hold accountable the individuals who helped aid Epstein’s activities at his residence on the private and secluded island of Little St. James.
George was fired by Democrat Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. just days after filing the lawsuit amid reports that he was blindsided by the lawsuit. George had served under the administration of Bryan Jr. for four years.
“I relieved Denise George of her duties as attorney general this weekend,” Bryan told news outlets in a statement at the time. “I thank her for her service to the people of the territory during the past four years as attorney general and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
A reason for George’s dismissal was not provided. Chief Deputy Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs was appointed acting attorney general in the wake of George’s departure.
