The billionaire bought two islands. The previous owner had a bad reputation.

An investment company led by billionaire Steven Decoff has bought two private islands in the US Virgin Islands. They belonged to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused, among other things, of soliciting prostitution and sexual exploitation of underage girls. According to court records, this practice has allegedly been carried out for years on one of the islands bought by the billionaire.

Deckoff bought the islands owned by the sex offender. “No comments”

Decoff is the co-founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, which manages $9 billion in assets. According to Forbes, his company bought the islands for $60 million, less than half of their original asking price.

– Mr. Dekoff plans to create a state-of-the-art, world-class five-star luxury resort with 25 rooms that will promote tourism, create jobs and boost economic development in the region while respecting and protecting the island. living environment - read in a press release about the sale, the content of which is quoted by CNBC.

In a brief conversation with CNBC, Decoff confirmed that he had bought the islands. When asked about his future plans in this matter, he only answered “No comment.”

Epstein’s death

After Epstein’s death, the islands were collectively valued at $86 million. Manhattan jail billionaire Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell in August 2019. Most likely, he committed suicide (after his death, there were conspiracy theories that he could have been killed because he could threaten many powerful people). Prosecutors accused Epstein, then 66, of organizing a criminal group that supplied girls to people who sexually abused them. The billionaire also paid 14-year-old girls for sex, prosecutors said. Epstein, who maintained his innocence, faced up to 45 years in prison. His trial was due to begin in June 2020.