EXCLUSIVENews|Business and EconomyEpstein’s help sought in bid to meet Chuck Schumer, files revealEmail exchange shows Epstein sought to arrange meeting between top Democrat and US Virgin Islands representative.
Documents released by the US Justice Department indicate that an associate of Stacey Plaskett, the United States Virgin Islands' delegate to the House of Representatives, sought assistance from Jeffrey Epstein to arrange a meeting with Senate Minority…
Documents released by the US Justice Department indicate that an associate of Stacey Plaskett, the United States Virgin Islands' delegate to the House of Representatives, sought assistance from Jeffrey Epstein to arrange a meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. This outreach occurred as Plaskett was lobbying for disaster relief following two hurricanes that impacted the Caribbean in 2017.
On Wed, Jan 24, 2018, Erika Kellerhals, a tax lawyer in the US Virgin Islands, emailed Epstein to request his help in securing a meeting between Plaskett and Schumer. Epstein's response indicated a willingness to assist, contingent on understanding the meeting's purpose. Kellerhals explained that Schumer was involved in driving the disaster relief bill but had primarily focused on Puerto Rico, raising concerns that the Virgin Islands might be overlooked.
Subsequently, Epstein reached out to Kathy Ruemmler, a former chief counsel to US President Barack Obama, for assistance in facilitating the meeting. Ruemmler, currently the chief lawyer at Goldman Sachs, replied that while she had no direct connection with Schumer, she would attempt to engage his chief of staff.
This outreach occurred as Plaskett was lobbying for disaster relief following two hurricanes that impacted the Caribbean in 2017.
The emails form part of a larger collection of approximately 3.5 million pages of files released last week. These documents are related to US investigations into Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. There is no confirmed record of a meeting between Schumer and Plaskett, although Congress did approve emergency funding for the US Virgin Islands in a budget package passed in Feb 2018. No public records indicate any direct communication between Schumer and Epstein.
Plaskett's association with Epstein has been controversial. She narrowly avoided censure by the House of Representatives following revelations of Epstein's involvement in coaching her during a Congressional hearing in Feb 2019. After Epstein's arrest in Jul 2019, Plaskett pledged to donate an amount equivalent to campaign contributions received from Epstein and his associates to charity.
As a non-voting member of Congress, Plaskett participates in floor debates and serves on several committees, including the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She has categorically denied enabling Epstein, describing him as a "demon" and expressing disgust at his behavior.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.