Denise George, the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands, was removed from her job on Saturday by Governor Albert Bryan days after filing a lawsuit accusing JPMorgan Chase of “pulling the levers” of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring.
According to the local paper, George had filed the case in her capacity as attorney general of the territory “without first informing Governor Bryan of such a major action.” As of 2022, JPMorgan is the US’ largest bank and the world’s largest bank by market capitalization.
George’s suit against the bank, which was filed on December 27, alleges that JPMorgan not only “financially benefitted” but it “knowingly facilitated, sustained, and concealed the human trafficking network operated by Jeffrey Epstein.” It accuses the financial institution of “turning a blind eye” for over a decade in exchange for “deals and clients that Epstein brought.”
A month earlier, two alleged Epstein victims filed separate lawsuits against JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank that allege similar claims, saying that Epstein “did not act alone.” A woman has also accused Apollo Global co-founder Leon Black of raping her two decades ago in Epstein’s Manhattan mansion in a civil lawsuit.
Notably, George’s firing comes just weeks after the former attorney general won a $105 million settlement with Epstein’s estate, which will be required to liquidate all of Epstein’s assets and wind down all business operations in the islands. The government of the Virgin Islands will also be entitled to half of the proceeds of the sale of the assets.
This earlier suit alleged that the Epstein-owned Little St. James Island was used to carry out what it called the “Epstein Enterprise” and conceal the sex-trafficking scheme that targeted dozens of young women and children.
Carol Thomas-Jacobs, the chief deputy attorney general at the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, will take over as acting attorney general.
Information for this story was found via the Virgin Islands Consortium, Insider, DOJ, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
