{
  "id": 79271,
  "title": "How Jeffrey Epstein's island became a nightmare for influencers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/how-jeffrey-epsteins-island-became-a-nightmare-for-influencers",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-03T09:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-island-influencer-stephen-deckoff-sidequest-drew-ash-alk-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Billionaire Stephen Deckoff's acquisition of two Caribbean islands, once owned by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, has turned into a public relations nightmare. Despite his initial intentions to create a world-class resort, the islands have become magnets for unwelcome visitors — social media influencers, content creators, and conspiracy theorists.\n\nDeckoff, the CEO of Black Diamond Capital Management, has filed lawsuits against nine individuals, accusing them of trespassing on the property in order to exploit its notoriety. Epstein himself used one of the islands, Little St. James, to build a sprawling compound where accusers claim he sexually assaulted numerous women. The island features a temple-like building that has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, painted in blue and white stripes with a golden dome.\n\nIn a series of lawsuits, Deckoff seeks damages from the influencers, who have uploaded videos of themselves jet-skiing, climbing onto shore, and unfurling banners demanding the release of the Epstein files. At times, Deckoff's staff has responded to the camera-wielding intruders with violence, and law enforcement agencies have confirmed these incidents in court filings.\n\nAnn Rodriguez, who managed the property for Epstein and continued to do so for Deckoff, was arrested in April on false imprisonment and assault charges after a content creator was found hog-tied and naked on a boat. Another interloper alleges that employees detained him and placed him in what he described as the island's \"dungeon.\"\n\nDeckoff's staff has also destroyed rental jet skis while apprehending content creators. One influencer, Andrew Petersen, claims that his actions were simply an attempt to seek the truth about the island, which he calls one of the most horrific places he has ever seen. However, he and his fellow influencers have not responded to the lawsuits.\n\nDuring the time Epstein owned Little St. James in 1998, Ghislaine Maxwell, his girlfriend and estate manager, was responsible for making the island habitable. She oversaw the purchase of home furnishings, sand, and palm trees, and even took helicopter lessons to ferry passengers between Little St. James and St. Thomas. Epstein hosted numerous high-profile guests on the island, including Prince Andrew, Sergey Brin, Reid Hoffman, Howard Lutnick, and Elon Musk.\n\nSince Epstein's suicide in 2019, the executors of his estate have been evaluating both islands for potential future use.",
  "summary": "Two influencers tried to sneak onto the island once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. A caretaker whipped out a BB gun and hogtied one of them, police say.",
  "key_points": [
    "Billionaire Stephen Deckoff acquired Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean islands.",
    "Deckoff filed lawsuits against nine individuals for trespassing and exploiting notoriety.",
    "Influencers and content creators targeted the islands for publicity, leading to confrontations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/79271.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}