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

Email exchange shows Epstein sought to arrange meeting between top Democrat and US Virgin Islands representative.Published On 5 Feb 2026An associate of the United States Virgin Islands’ sole representative in the US Congress asked Jeffrey Epstein for help to arrange a meeting between the politician and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, according to documents released by the US Justice Department.The outreach to Epstein was made on behalf of Stacey Plaskett, the islands’ delegate to the House of Representatives, as the politician sought to lobby Schumer for relief after two hurricanes ripped through the Caribbean in 2017, according to the documents.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4US Supreme Court rejects challenge to California redistricting maplist 2 of 4Ukraine says first day of peace talks with Russia ‘productive’list 3 of 4UN agency warns of ‘sharp increase’ in measles cases in the Americaslist 4 of 4Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,442end of list“We have to help Stacey get a meeting with Schumer. Any thoughts?” Erika Kellerhals, a tax lawyer in the US Virgin Islands, wrote to Epstein in an email on January 24, 2018.“[S]hould not be a problem need to know the reason and subject,” Epstein wrote back a few hours later.“She has been unable to confirm a meeting with him. He is driving the disaster relief bill and has only been talking about Puerto Rico and not the [Virgin Islands]. She’s concerned we will be ignored,” Kellerhals told Epstein in response.After his exchange with Kellerhals, Epstein sent an email to Kathy Ruemmler, a former chief counsel to US President Barack Obama, asking for help in setting up a meeting with Schumer.“schumer is driving the Puerto Rico . virgin islands relief=bill. the VI congressional rep Stacey Plaskett , h=s not been able to get a meeting. confirmed with him. ca= you help?” Epstein wrote to Ruemmler, who is now the chief lawyer to Goldman Sachs.“I do not have any relations=ip with him, but let me see whether I can get to his COS,” Ruemmler said in response, referring to his chief of staff.