NYT: Epstein cultivated 'chummy' ties with CBP officers near his island, enjoyed VIP treatment

2026-02-20 - 21:12

Jeffrey Epstein developed "chummy relationships" with US Customs and Border Protection officers stationed near his private island in the US Virgin Islands, enjoying VIP treatment in exchange for perks, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing emails and records recently released by the Justice Department. Quid Pro Quo According to the report, Epstein provided certain CBP personnel—responsible for controlling entry and exit to St. Thomas, close to his "Little St. James" island—with food, helicopter rides, and financial advice. In return, officers "whisked him through inspections" and "helped him troubleshoot when he encountered problems at airports on the mainland," providing what the Times described as "concierge services." Criminal Investigation Beginning in 2019, these relationships became the subject of a criminal investigation. FBI and Homeland Security agents, along with federal prosecutors, spent over a year investigating whether CBP officers permitted Epstein and his visitors to enter the nation without inspection. The probe targeted at least four officers, including a supervisor. Its outcome remains unclear, with no related criminal charges on record. Document Release Context The revelations come from the Jan. 30 release of over 3 million pages, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law last November. The materials include grand jury transcripts and investigative records, though many pages remain heavily redacted. Epstein survivors and victims' relatives say the disclosure falls short and omits vital information. Epstein was found dead by suicide in a New York City jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.