Stacey Plaskett, a Democratic non-voting delegate representing the US Virgin Islands, has confirmed that she exchanged text messages with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing in 2019. The correspondence took place against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in U.S. politics, as former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified to the House Oversight Committee about President Trump’s business practices and his financial dealings pertaining to allegations involving hush money payments.
Plaskett’s spokesperson, Angeline Jabbar, indicated that during the hearing, the congresswoman received a variety of messages from constituents, staff, and the public, which included advice and support, as well as criticism—one of which came from Epstein. Jabbar highlighted Plaskett’s background as a former prosecutor and her unwavering commitment to combating sexual assault and human trafficking, emphasizing her disdain for Epstein’s actions and her dedication to advocating for his victims.
The revelation of the text exchanges was reported following the release of approximately 20,000 pages of documents by the House Oversight Committee. Analysis from the Washington Post revealed that the messages were sent to Plaskett on February 27, 2019, the same day Cohen provided testimony. While the name of the recipient in the texts was redacted, the coordination between Epstein’s messages and Plaskett’s questions to Cohen suggested that he may have been monitoring the hearing closely.
At the time of the exchange, Epstein had already served time for two state prostitution charges and was on the brink of facing serious charges for sex trafficking minors. His connections to the Virgin Islands were significant, as he owned homes in the area, including Little St. James, known for its controversial past.
The analysis noted that Epstein referenced Trump associates in his messages, including an assistant named Rhona Graff, and applauded Plaskett’s performance after her questioning of Cohen. The newly released documents not only shed light on this interaction but also raised additional scrutiny regarding Epstein’s ties to various high-profile individuals, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
As Congress approaches a vote on a bill aimed at ensuring the release of all Justice Department files related to the Epstein case, there is growing public interest in uncovering more details about Epstein’s network and associations. Trump has since directed the Justice Department to investigate these connections, which may result in further developments in the ongoing discourse surrounding Epstein’s influence and the extensive implications of his actions.