Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous ‘paedo island’ finally sold to billionaire for HALF price – as he reveals plans for the site
JEFFREY Epstein’s infamous “paedophile island” where he raped and abused underage victims has finally after more than a year on the market.
Billionaire Stephen Deckoff snapped up the two islands for $60million – less than half the asking price – and said he has big plans for the tropical property.
Part of the money Deckoff paid for the two luxury islands will be used to settle lawsuits and compensate victims of Epstein and his guests on the island.
Deckoff, the founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, is hoping to convert the disgraced location into a resort with 25 rooms.
The two islands, Little St. James and Great St. James, already have an eyewatering 230acres with a helipad, pools and several villas.
Billionaire Epstein – who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges – bought the island of Little St James more than two decades ago for $7.95million (£6million).
In 2016, he added to his property empire by purchasing the 165-acre Great St James for a reported $18million (£14million) – but it was left largely untouched.
Deckoff hopes to open the hotel in 2025, meaning he’ll get operations underway very soon.
He said in a statement: “I’ve been proud to call the US Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination befitting its natural grace and beauty.”
Deckoff is estimated to be worth $3billion, and has said he has never met Epstein or set foot on the islands before the purchase.
The beautiful location of the property is also the alleged location of countless sexual abuses of underage girls.
Prince Andrew is alleged to have spent time on the idyllic island.
Andrew has denied visiting Little Saint James in the US Virgin Islands, described by a lawyer for Epstein‘s victims as a “sex-trafficking palace”.
A South African woman who stayed at the island, Sarah Ransome, said she was raped as many as three times a day over five months.
“A shark would have been my best friend at that point. I didn’t even think about it—it was just, get me away,” Ransome previously said, according to the Daily Mail.