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By Anna Commander and Gabe Whisnant
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Newly released documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate indicate that Stacey Plaskett, the Democratic nonvoting delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, appears to have exchanged text messages with the sex offender during Michael Cohen’s 2019 House Oversight Committee testimony.
The Washington Post first reported on the messages Friday.
Why It Matters
These revelations shed new light on Epstein’s alleged far-reaching ties and potential extent of his influence over politicians, raising questions on transparency, political relationships and oversight at the highest levels of government.
Read More on Politics
The findings arrive as the House of Representatives considers bipartisan efforts to release all files related to Epstein, underscoring renewed scrutiny of his interactions with powerful officials.
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What To Know
The messages do not show Plaskett engaging in wrongdoing but suggest Epstein may have attempted to draw her attention to parts of Cohen’s remarks in real time. Epstein, who had been a sex offender since 2008, appeared to be monitoring the hearing closely and commenting as Plaskett prepared to question President Donald Trump’s former attorney and "fixer."
In the texts, Epstein highlighted Cohen’s mention of former Trump aide Rhona Graff, calling her the “keeper of the secrets.” Minutes later, the unnamed recipient wrote, “Quick I’m up next,” just before beginning her questioning. Epstein responded with “Good work” shortly after the lawmaker finished.
His messages also included personal asides, like asking, “Are you chewing?” after cameras briefly showed Plaskett moving her mouth during the hearing, the Post reported. The recipient replied that she were chewing the inside of her mouth, describing it as a long-standing habit. Epstein later offered unsolicited strategic observations and noted that Cohen had “opened the door” to further inquiries about Trump Organization “henchmen,” suggesting he was following the exchange minute by minute.
Plaskett declined to answer questions about the texts when reached by the Post. Her chief of staff told the outlet she was “not in a position to confirm or not confirm” whether the congresswoman was communicating with Epstein. Newsweek reached out to Plaskett’s office for comment via email Friday night.
The messages were part of a large batch of Epstein’s emails and communications released this week by the House Oversight Committee.
For decades, Epstein owned two private islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands—Little Saint James and Great Saint James—which prosecutors later described as central hubs in his sex-trafficking operations. A lawsuit filed by the Virgin Islands government, later settled, alleged that many of Epstein’s crimes occurred on Little Saint James. He also sought to wield political influence locally, donating to officials and cultivating relationships that allowed him to maintain standing in the territory.
Plaskett previously faced scrutiny over donations linked to Epstein. After initially resisting calls to return contributions following his 2019 arrest, she later returned them amid public backlash. In 2023, six Epstein accusers sued several Virgin Islands officials, including Plaskett, alleging they benefited from his activities. The suit against her was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice earlier this year. Her attorney said Plaskett learned of Epstein’s crimes at the same time the public did, when news of his federal arrest became widely known.
Epstein died in federal custody in a New York City jail in August 2019, a month after being charged with sex-trafficking minors. The newly released documents add fresh detail to the vast public record of his ties to influential political and business figures.
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What People Are Saying
Plaskett’s office, in a statement Friday evening after the Post's article published: “During the hearing, Congresswoman Plasket[t] received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein. As a former prosecutor she welcomes information that helps her get at the truth and took on the GOP that was trying to bury the truth. The congresswoman has previously made clear her long record combating sexual assault and human trafficking, her disgust over Epstein’s deviant behavior and her support for his victims,” the Post reported.
Scott Jennings, former adviser to President George W. Bush, on X Friday: "So Epstein was being counseled by The NY Times and was coaching Democratic members of Congress. Got it."
Steven Cheung, White House director of communications, on X Friday: "DEMOCRAT member of Congress"
Update 11/14/25, 8:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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