Court documents unsealed on Wednesday have shed light on the extensive network of individuals connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The names listed in the documents encompassed a wide range of people, including Epstein's accusers, staff members, and business associates. Many of these individuals provided depositions regarding Epstein's alleged exploitation of underage girls for sex at his various properties, which included his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, as well as his private island near St. Thomas.

Epstein's private island, known as Little St. James, was located approximately 2 miles off the coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Spanning over 72 acres, the island boasted several luxurious villas. Epstein held stakes in businesses within the U.S. Virgin Islands, such as Hyperion Air. A boat bearing the initials LSJ was frequently used to transport staff members and supplies to Little St. James, according to a harbor employee interviewed by CBS News in 2020.

Despite Epstein's philanthropic donations to local government officials and schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands, his reputation in the area remained tarnished. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George acknowledged that Epstein was not considered an upstanding member of the community. She revealed that his status as a registered sex offender was public knowledge, and this fact contributed to the negative perception surrounding him.

The events that allegedly took place on Epstein's private island became the subject of intense scrutiny. In 2019, Epstein died in a New York prison while facing federal charges of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking with underage girls. Although he had pleaded not guilty, his death was ultimately ruled a suicide. Following Epstein's demise, Denise George assumed the role of attorney general and filed a lawsuit against his estate. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement of $105 million on behalf of the United States.

George asserted that Little St. James served as a hideaway for Epstein's criminal activities. When questioned about her decision to pursue legal action after his death, she responded with conviction, stating, "Why not now?" She emphasized that Epstein's wealth and influence enabled him to conceal much of his wrongdoing. While she couldn't speak to the specifics of what occurred on the island in the past, George was determined to hold Epstein accountable for his actions.