Epstein’s help sought in bid to meet Chuck Schumer, files reveal

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Erin HaleFebruary 5, 2026 at 09:09 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In January 2018, an associate of US Virgin Islands Representative Stacey Plaskett contacted Jeffrey Epstein seeking his assistance in arranging a meeting between Plaskett and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The email exchange, revealed in documents released by the Justice Department, shows Erika Kellerhals, a tax lawyer, reaching out to Epstein on Plaskett's behalf. Plaskett sought to lobby Schumer for disaster relief for the Virgin Islands following the 2017 hurricanes. Epstein then contacted Kathy Ruemmler, a former Obama administration official, to leverage her connections to Schumer's chief of staff. Plaskett was concerned that Schumer was primarily focused on Puerto Rico in the disaster relief bill and that the Virgin Islands would be overlooked.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Goldman Sachs 30% Barack Obama 30% Puerto Rico ×230% United States Justice Department 40% United States Congress 50% Kathy Ruemmler ×260% Erika Kellerhals ×260% United States Virgin Islands ×570% Stacey Plaskett ×480% Chuck Schumer ×580% Jeffrey Epstein ×690%

Keywords

jeffrey epstein 100% chuck schumer 90% us virgin islands 80% stacey plaskett 80% meeting arrangement 70% disaster relief 60% lobbying 50% email exchange 50% us congress 40%