US Democrats release photos and videos of Epstein’s island estate, increasing pressure to release all investigative files on the sex offender.
WASHINGTON: Democrats in the US Congress have released photos and videos showing the luxury island home of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The images depict Epstein’s former Caribbean hideaway on Little Saint James island in the US Virgin Islands.
They show a luxurious villa, landscaped grounds leading to the seashore, and a large outdoor swimming pool.
A chalkboard in one room is inscribed with words including “deception,” “power,” “truth,” and “political,” with other words redacted.
The release adds pressure on the Trump administration to comply with a law requiring the full release of investigative files on Epstein’s activities.
President Donald Trump fought for months to prevent the Department of Justice from releasing the Epstein files.
He signed a law compelling their release on November 19 after pressure from Congress, including members of his own Republican Party.
It remains unclear how many of the extensive files will ultimately be made public, as authorities may cite ongoing investigations.
Epstein, a financier, cultivated wealthy and powerful friends and frequently hosted them at his Caribbean home.
He was convicted in 2008 on two sex crime counts, including solicitation of prostitution with a minor.
Epstein served about a year in detention under unusually lenient conditions before avoiding more serious charges until 2019.
He was arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors in 2019 but died in pre-trial detention that same year, with his death ruled a suicide.
Trump and his allies have long pushed theories about powerful Democrats being protected over involvement with Epstein.
The former president himself was a longtime friend of Epstein, raising questions about his knowledge of the financier’s activities.
After starting his second presidential term in January, Trump switched from calling for the files’ release to calling the scandal a “hoax.” – AFP
