House Oversight Demands USVI Records in Epstein Investigation; Subpoenas Issued to Banks

Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on Tuesday sent a formal letter to U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon Rhea requesting documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as part of a broad congressional review.

Scope of the inquiry

The committee said it is examining potential mismanagement of the federal investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death, the operation of sex‑trafficking rings, possible ethics violations by elected officials, and whether legislative reforms are needed to strengthen federal efforts against sex trafficking.

Alleged ties and local contacts

Comer’s letter details Epstein’s reported ties to Virgin Islands officials, including hiring the wife of the USVI governor, engaging an architecture firm owned by the governor’s uncle, and making donations described as “money, sponsored scholarships and gave dozens of computers to a local lawmaker to distribute.” The letter also cites news reports and court filings alleging Epstein “allegedly paid law enforcement entities such as the Virgin Islands Police Department.”

The correspondence states that Epstein “remained in communication with USVI Governor Kenneth E. Mapp and USVI Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives Stacey Plaskett.” Recently released documents reportedly show communications involving Delegate Plaskett in connection with a 2019 hearing that included testimony from Michael Cohen, former lawyer to President Trump.

Bank subpoenas and financial oversight

In addition to the request for USVI records, Comer issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase seeking Epstein’s financial records. The subpoena to Deutsche Bank asserts Epstein maintained accounts there between 2013 and potentially as late as 2018. Comer said records from JPMorgan will help the committee assess the role financial institutions may have played in facilitating sex‑trafficking operations.

Congressional action and next steps

The letter and bank subpoenas follow bipartisan congressional action that placed a bill on track to require the Justice Department to release all unclassified records related to Epstein. A White House official said the bill will be signed when it reaches the White House.

Comer told Attorney General Rhea the requested documents will aid Congress in evaluating enforcement of sex‑trafficking laws and in shaping potential legislative reforms, including reforms to the use of non‑prosecution agreements and plea deals in sex‑crime cases. The committee may use the investigation's findings to propose changes to federal policy and oversight.

What happens next: The committee awaits a response from the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general and will continue pursuing subpoenas and document requests as part of its oversight role. The investigation could inform both criminal reviews and congressional reforms.