Bryan ‘Absolutely’ Supports an Epstein Inquiry, Denies Wrongdoing

As the U.S. Virgin Islands finds itself back in national headlines over officials’ treatment of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. held firm that “the record in the Virgin Islands shows no instance where he was afforded any special privilege by this administration.”

The comments came during a Government House press briefing Monday, more than a month after the U.S. Justice Department’s congressionally-mandated release of millions of files related to its investigation into Epstein. Days later and following reporting which illuminated the breakdown in Bryan’s professional relationship with former V.I. Attorney General Denise George, who was fired on the last day of 2022, Bryan said that “none of this is new” and that “Epstein’s estate” received no concessions from the Virgin Islands Government. The files did contain new information about Epstein’s activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and about his relationships with current and former high-ranking government officials.

On Monday, Bryan did not deny texting with Epstein in 2019 amid a dispute with the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources over unauthorized construction on Great St. James. The conversation was reported by CNN last week in an article shared widely on social media. After Epstein railed against DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol and the “anti development message” being sent by the department’s enforcement of environmental laws, Bryan wrote that he had asked Oriol to recuse himself “and concede on all previous permit requests.” Later, Bryan wrote “We got u” after Epstein continued to complain.