The Workforce Required
A private island the size of Little Saint James (71 acres) with multiple structures, harbor facilities, and full-time operations required substantial staffing:
- Security personnel (24/7 coverage)
- Maintenance workers for grounds and facilities
- Boat crew and harbor staff
- Housekeeping and service staff
- Catering and food preparation
- Technical support for communications and utilities
USVI Local Employment
The workforce was drawn significantly from the USVI local population, many from St. Thomas (the nearest major island). This created several dynamics:
- Local economic dependence on island employment
- Concerns about potential witnesses with family and community ties in the USVI
- Potential for informal community knowledge about activities on the island
Import Workers
Some specialized workers or additional staff were brought from other locations:
- Technical specialists for security systems
- Some service staff with specific skills
- Managers and supervisors overseeing operations
Labor Violations
The USVI civil lawsuit alleged that Epstein’s island operations involved:
- Workers paid below prevailing wages
- Worker housing conditions that fell below standards
- Questions about visa/work authorization for some imported workers
- Labor law violations related to hours and conditions
Similar labor issues were alleged at the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.
The Silence Question
A question frequently raised: why did island workers not speak publicly about what they witnessed?
Potential explanations:
- Economic dependency on continued employment
- Non-disclosure agreements and legal threats from Epstein’s attorneys
- Community ties and fear of retaliation
- Some workers may have seen less than outsiders imagine, given the island’s size and private nature of activities
Worker Witness Potential
In the aftermath of Epstein’s death, investigators sought to interview former island workers. Some provided information to USVI investigators. The full scope of what island workers knew has never been publicly disclosed.