Newly Uncovered Messages Reveal Epstein Reached Out to Democrat Governor Ahead of 2019 Arrest

Amid the release of the Epstein Files, text messages exchanged between the convicted offender and the United States Virgin Islands Governor, Albert Bryan Jr., have emerged. The messages show a close working relationship between the two and reveal that Jeffrey Epstein was in contact with the Democratic leader until May 2019, about two months before his arrest in July 2019.

The texts, initially obtained by CNN, reveal that Epstein asked Bryan for favors several times between January 2019 and May 2019. Bryan said he would use his political authority to help.

Epstein, whose private island is located in the United States Virginia Islands, sought help from Bryan after authorities ordered a stay on construction on the land. Environmental officials were also contemplating imposing fines on Epstein.

The child trafficker then contacted Bryan and expressed concerns about the stoppage of the construction, the potential fines, and the negative press coverage. Bryan said that he had contacted the commissioner to ensure permits were approved.

The governor later showed support for Epstein by writing, “We got u.” In another exchange in April 2019, Epstein asked Bryan if he could spare a few minutes to talk to him. Bryan replied, “For u absolutely.”

The texts also show that Epstein used his financial power and connections to exert influence over Bryan. In one message, he wrote that if he were not allowed to build on Little Saint James Island, he would withdraw all his investments and move them to Puerto Rico.

The texts were exchanged during the first year of Bryan's tenure as the USVI Governor. It is not yet clear whether Bryan actually took actions to help Epstein, or whether his claims were limited to texts.

According to CNN, the two had also reached out to each other during Bryan’s 2018 campaign. The messages have come to light a few days after the Epstein Files revealed an earlier Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) interview of former Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George.

In the interview, George stated that Bryan had raised Epstein’s request for a waiver from a law. According to the said law, s-- offenders in the USVI are required to appear in person at the Department of Justice at least 21 days before traveling outside the United States. George also pointed out that Bryan and Epstein were in constant contact with each other.

Bryan, however, refuted George's claims and said, “These are not conclusions. They are not adjudicated facts.” Earlier in 2023, he had testified under oath that he had not provided any special favors to Epstein.

When asked why he remained in contact with the financier despite his 2008 arrest over s– offense, Bryan said he thought Epstein had been arrested for involvement with an underage s- worker. He later apologized for the statement.

Epstein was arrested, for the second and final time, in July 2019 and died by suicide in August 2019. Meanwhile, Bryan is currently serving the last year of his second term as Governor. He has not yet reacted to the report exposing the texts.