Little St. James Island is currently owned by U.S. billionaire Stephen Deckoff, through his firm SD Investments.
Background
Little St. James, often referred to as “Epstein Island,” was owned by financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from 1998 until his death in 2019. After legal disputes involving Epstein’s estate and the U.S. Virgin Islands government, the island was put up for sale as part of efforts to resolve lawsuits and settlements.
Current ownership and plans
In May 2023, Stephen Deckoff purchased both Little St. James and the neighboring Great St. James for about 60 million dollars via SD Investments. Deckoff has announced plans to redevelop the islands into a high-end, 25-room luxury resort, with an opening targeted around 2025, while local authorities are slated to use part of the sale proceeds to fund services for victims of sexual abuse and trafficking.
