As The Guardian and The New York Times reported, emails, text messages and investigative records show that Epstein befriended several executives, entertaining them on his island and offering to take them on whale-watching trips in his helicopter. He also brought a cannolis for Christmas Eve. In turn, Epstein would bring his complaints to certain officials about his treatment at the hands of other CBP and federal agents. Most of the conversations described in the records occurred years after Epstein pleaded guilty to sex crimes charges in Florida in 2008.
CBP officers were never charged with any Epstein-related crimes, and at least one later retired from the agency with a pension, suggesting the government ultimately found no wrongdoing. However, the documents describe a pattern of behavior – two officials referred to Epstein as a “friend” – that a government ethics expert described as inappropriate and a potential violation of federal guidance. They also include grand jury subpoenas that specifically name the executives and compel the recipients, who were largely financial services firms, to assist federal prosecutors who were investigating allegations of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government.
CBP and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which led the Epstein investigation, did not respond to requests for comment.
Over the years, Epstein allegedly brought countless women and girls under the age of 12 to his private island of Little St. James, according to a 2020 complaint filed by the former USVI Attorney General. Epstein frequently flew in and out of the USVI on his private jet.
According to a November 2020 FBI interview report with Epstein’s personal pilot Larry Wysocki, in order to depart from the USVI to other parts of the US, Epstein’s aircraft had to be cleared by CBP.
Wysocki told the FBI that some of the passengers were college students and had letters from their schools explaining why they were travelling. Another time, according to Wysotsky’s interview report, Epstein traveled with a woman who held a foreign passport. If CBP officers began questioning these travelers, Wysocki said, Epstein would intervene and begin arguing with the officers.
However, Wysocki told the FBI that Epstein attempted to be friendly with CBP officers, at times instructing Wysocki to collect agents’ contact information. (In an email to a CBP official, Epstein wrote, “As you know I have great respect for people who do their jobs.”) Over the years, emails and text messages show, various CBP officials would try to reach Epstein, either directly or through Wysocki or other associates. Sometimes, Epstein would lead officers to Little St. James.
For example, in May 2014, Wysocki emailed Epstein, “While going through customs at STT, our nice guy gave me his cell contact.” The pilot said that a “nice guy” would be available to meet at Little St. James that week. Wysowski also attached the person’s contact information. The next day, Epstein’s island estate manager emailed Epstein to inform him that the man, a CBP officer, would be picked up for lunch on Wednesday. (It is not clear whether this lunch ever took place.)
Emails in 2015 and 2016 show that Epstein had another officer, Glenn Samuel, come to Little St. James to perform on steel pan drums — a side gig Samuel had informally advertised at one point on his Facebook page. In a January 2015 email thread, Epstein asked an associate to clarify Samuel’s rate. The associate replied, “Mr. Samuel says he does not intend to charge you. He considers you a friend and was doing this for you. If you would like to give him something, he would appreciate it, but there is no charge.” Samuel did not respond to a request for comment.
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