Previous post
Next post
Days after his alleged suicide, news broke yesterday afternoon that “pedophile island” owner Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide method was via a bed sheet tied to a bunk bed. You know, “sources” say.
That’d be the same Jeffrey Epstein who mere weeks ago was under a suicide watch following what was reported as his first suicide attempt. The same Jeffrey Epstein who, in violation of regular procedures reports say, was not being checked every half hour and was, for some reason, suddenly without a cell mate. And the same Jeffrey Epstein whose jail cell was reportedly beyond the range of the facility’s surveillance cameras that apparently focus not inside the jail cells, but only on the areas outside them. Oh, and then there’s this: Jeffrey Epstein’s guard was reportedly not a “full-fledged officer,” but rather a “substitute.” Talk about your perfect storm for a “suicide.” Pardon me while I dislodge my overly-rolled eyes from the rear of my noggin.
Then, on top of all that, the news broke yesterday afternoon that our FBI was spotted—by a group of onlookers aboard a charter boat—“raiding” Epstein’s “pedophile island” (photos here) :
Which begs a whole lot of questions about said “pedophile island.” To wit:
I know. That last question is a doozy. Nevertheless, it’s completely fair given what we’ve seen emerge from the FBI in recent years, particularly given Epstein’s ties to high-profile people including the Clintons, of whom people like myself believe the FBI is still covering for. Regardless, it’s a disconcerting and sad question for all Americans. And no, I’m not alone in my distrust of the FBI’s “raid” on “pedophile island:”
Hillary's strike team already cleaned the place out and got rid of all fingerprints
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) August 12, 2019
The word “BleachBit” comes to mind.
Meanwhile: Pardon the New York Times link, but, did the specifics of the conversation alleged in this article die with Epstein? And is the FBI in possession of any of said specifics following their raid on Epstein’s mansion last month?
Almost exactly a year ago, on Aug. 16, 2018, our columnist James Stewart visited Jeffrey Epstein at his cavernous Manhattan mansion https://t.co/yerF6NLWMW
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 12, 2019
Which brings me to my point: while I’m certain there are many trustworthy and honest agents employed by the FBI, the agency itself has lost the trust of scores of Americans. James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and the rest of the Get Trump cabal—overseen by one Barack Obama and reportedly birthed at his State Department whose head was John Kerry—are to thank for that. Nevertheless, its current director has seemingly furthered the cover-up tradition (read that linked article!) of the Obama administration rather than cleaning up his ranks wherever the rot lies. And that’s the reality of the FBI’s reputation today: coupled with the unbelievable events surrounding Epstein’s “suicide,” when my first thought is wondering whether or not we can trust agents with any evidence found on Epstein’s island (should there be any, of course), it’s evident that many Americans, like me, no longer trust that the agency’s investigators are blind and non-partisan, rejecting special treatment for certain people, and meting out justice, hand-in-hand with the DoJ, equally. And that’s a sentiment that must be addressed and remedied without delay, even if it takes removing yet another FBI director and replacing him with someone in the vein of the seemingly no-nonsense Bill Barr. Regaining trust in America’s law enforcement demands it. And unless and until that happens, every time the letters “FBI” and the word “investigation” are used in the same sentence, the collective response of much of America will be a massive eye roll and a collective, “Yeah, right.” And that’s not a reaction that a nation of laws should ever allow to become its federal law enforcement paradigm.
Corrie says: Just wait until he manages to cremate himself while the medical examiner is at lunch. Then all will be made clear… good article with excellent questions, Jodi.
Jodi Giddings says: Thank you, Corrie. One good thing about the autopsy was that Michael Baden was apparently in attendance. He seems like a straight shooter.
rabbit says: Brilliant comment and true to
Epstein was either murdered, or more likely, allowed to commit suicide. Either way he knew his life was effectively over.
The FBI is now seizing and destroying evidence of wrong-doing by our political class.
Sure, there are other, more innocent explanations, but those are so improbable they defy belief.
Jodi Giddings says: Agreed. And it’s tragic that we don’t have a federal law enforcement agency that Americans can have confidence in.
The Demon Slick says: Actually Epstein had an excellent chance of getting off because of the earlier plea deal. Double jeopardy and all that. And the case that resulted in the plea deal was much more solid but he didn’t kill himself then. This wasn’t his first rodeo. And he really had no reason to believe that things were darker this time than the last time.
CaptDMO says: “How can we trust that the FBI won’t tamper with/create/destroy and/or allow the destruction of any evidence they uncovered…”
I’ve become fond of the word supplant these days.
Jodi Giddings says: Yup. But Wray would have to be supplanted first. He seems to be yet another swamp creature more concerned with covering for his agency than applying the laws to ANYONE who breaks them.
DonM says: Need a death penalty for the fbi, just as we needed a death penalty for the atf during the Clinton years.
Blackgriffin says: This mays sound over the top, but I’m beginning to wonder if any girls were killed there.
Jodi Giddings says: As am I, Blackgriffin. When I saw people snorkeling in the waters off the island, alarm bells went off.
GWB says: Epstein’s suicide method was via a bed sheet tied to a bunk bed.
Hmmmmmmm………………..
the facility’s surveillance cameras that apparently focus not inside the jail cells, but only on the areas outside them
I’m going to guess that’s pretty standard. Do you really want the guards watching these people change clothes and using the toilet? and filming it? Even in prison there’s still a privacy issue. (In suicide watch situations, though, if you’re checking on them every 1/2 hour, you can probably take them to the bathroom and such.)
Potential answers:
2. It’s possible the plea agreement stopped further investigation. Now that the island belongs to someone else…. It’s also possible it’s related to his wife’s wanting to spill her guts. (Though, not in a literal way….)
6. I think that’s just a pair of mattresses on box springs. (I wouldn’t call them “piled up”.)
8. Depends on whether they work for Barr and the US people, or for the progressive technocratic ideal.
federal law enforcement paradigm
But, it’s inevitable when the ‘federal’ gov’t has so many law enforcement arms. It will grow into Leviathan. And then it will be unaccountable.
Jodi Giddings says: All fair points, GWB. I don’t think the woman you’re referring to is JE’s wife, so I don’t know about ownership of the island. That’s an interesting thread that needs pulling. As far as the mattresses or whatever they are: wasn’t that building touted as a “music” room or something? Why would there be any there? On number 8: the problem I see is that there’s a mix, and the bad-seed mix seems to wrangle the truth from the American people these days, particularly when the heads of the agency have become more concerned about protecting said agency than they are about equal application of the law. Thus…I don’t trust that agency as far as I can toss it.
GWB says: Thus…I don’t trust that agency as far as I can toss it.
Uphill. Against the wind.
Mark Kaulius says: bs. since when does the FBI honor ownership of a property when on the hunt for evidence of wrong doing. They should have stormed the island long ago. This is a hunt to find and destroy evidence which would crush a lot of high powered dems…..
I R A Darth Aggie says: The ownership of the island is in the estate (or trust) of the deceased, unless it was owned by a corporation controlled by the deceased. In which case, it will be administered by the next person on the corporate org chart, or possibly a trust company.
I’m presuming that JE had a will/trust/LLC drawn up beforehand. And I would guess that it is held by an corporation probably incorporated in the Cayman Islands. But that’s just a WAG.
Rick says: GWB,
I was a correctional officer. Inmates have no right to privacy.
– After visitation, every orifice in their body is checked. If we’re willing to look in those places, do you think we would be reluctant to point a camera in a cell?
– There are no doors on the bathroom stalls. If we’re willing to watch an inmate get a load off his mind, do you think we would be reluctant to point a camera in a cell?
A witness as important as Epstein should have been watched like a hawk…unless watching him like a hawk would have kept him alive and someone powerful wanted him dead. Or, since everything about this situation is so unbelievable, I’m also open to the possibility that Epstein is alive and in witness protection.
Jodi Giddings says: Everything that Rick wrote ^^^.
gls says: I believe that he is in the witness protection program. Why else would his 3 lawyers spend hours with him the day before. Bet they went over every single step right up to being taken to the hospital and all the medical team and EMTs were all paid off to pull this off. They are saying that all of his PALS do not have standing now in court which means all of these criminals have no protection. About the island. That island per the governor of the USVI said that no one had jurisdiction of that island and it was always unsecured to the public when he wasnt there so tourists etc had free reign to be on the island. The island is not under the USVI governorship. He’s alive somewhere and his best friend G Maxwell was last seen in California this week. Bet they are watching her like a hawk.
John in Indy says: Apparently, Epstein did a major destructive renovation late last year and early in this year, filling in tunnels and underground facilities, and had a fire on the island in January. No telling what was then sanitized.
And, of course, the Fumbling Idiots are saying “trust us, we won’t betray your trust this time.”
Especially after Epstein was just Arkancided.
Trust, once lost or betrayed, takes years to rebuild, if that can be done at all.
I thank Trump for forcing the Dems, RINOs, and the parts of the Deep Sate we have seen so far, out of the shadows of deniable intent, and into the light of day.
We still may not be able to make the changes needed before it all comes apart, but we can now see who opposes us.
John in Indy
Scott says: ” the agency itself has lost the trust of scores of Americans. James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and the rest of the Get Trump cabal—overseen by one Barack Obama and reportedly birthed at his State Department whose head was John Kerry—are to thank for that. Nevertheless, its current director has seemingly furthered the cover-up tradition (read that linked article!) of the Obama administration rather than cleaning up his ranks wherever the rot lies. “..
As with most things that come out of the left, NONE of this is an unintended consequence.. Obama said he’d “fundamentally change” America, and this is part of is.. in order for the left to destroy the current system, and replace it with a socialist one run by them, sowing distrust in all the current agencies, even while weaponizing them against those who would preserve our Constitutional Republic, is part of the plan. Look for this to get worse, MUCH worse, especially if President Trump gets a second term.
Jodi Giddings says: Couldn’t agree more, Scott.
gls says: I have no trust in any of the ABC agencies thanks to Comey and friends.
Jodi Giddings says: Is this what the FBI is looking for? https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9702330/jeffrey-epstein-diaries-donald-trump-clinton/
Flo says: The only thing they are looking for is anything that may have either their own name on it or their big shot boss’s name. They could care less about the people that have been used, abused and need closure. NONE of this makes any sense. The creep KNEW he was not going to jail for the rest of his life.
Paladin says: Outstanding Post
Jodi Giddings says: Thank you, Paladin!
gls says: That picture they keep showing of him on the stretcher and the picture of his face with all the wrinkles is definietely not him. Any idiot can see the difference. They must think we are all stupid.
gus3 says: “there are many trustworthy and honest agents employed by the FBI”
But there are many more who aren’t trustworthy, or honest. It’s time for the good actors to leave, before the recriminations begin.
The FBI has too long been a partisan arm of the Democrats. It’s time to shut them down. Shift their operations to the US Marshals, and forbid any current FBI from holding a federal job again. (They all have “good” references, but the bad actors will have to straighten up quickly, or get fired.)
Jodi Giddings says: And therein lies the problem.
As someone trained in physical security with some law enforcement thrown in for good measure, what I see in that video leads me to question if those guys are actually FBI.
In normal law enforcement, you don’t conduct an investigative “raid” on a isolated location and have SECURITY OVERWATCH standing around. In short, there’s entirely too many “agents” looking OUT rather than looking in and around.
Rick says: …unless the purpose of the raid was to be seen, not to find anything. It’s a public relations raid. “Look how serious we are, world! We’re taking care of business!”
Jodi Giddings says: Oh, interesting thought, Rick…
gls says: Plus they had NYPD cops on the island with them. You could see their arm patches through the window where the computers were. They were in their white dress shirts and black pants uniforms.
Hanuman says: May I suggest Lois McMaster Bujold sci-fi Memory for inspiriting read about dedication to Justice by an investigator.
Something I hold on to these days.
Hanuman says: Is there any way of determining if the bedsheet around his neck before or after he was strangled?
Jodi Giddings says: EXACTLY the question I have. Seems like something that could be determined. Dr. Baden was there for the autopsy, so maybe, just maybe, a little truth will emerge from it.
Flo says: Many have that same question, but don’t hold your breath while you wait for an answer.
cthulhu says: There is the possibility that he is “officially dead” in order to intentionally trigger his “deadman switch”.
If he were to show up later, after all the documents and videos in his vault were released, normal rules of evidence would likely not apply.
Jodi Giddings says: Hmm…I suppose anything is possible…
Propertius says: Pet peeve: “begging the question” does not mean what you think it does.
Rick says: “Begging the question means ‘to elicit a specific question as a reaction or response,’ and can often be replaced with ‘a question that begs to be answered.’ However, a lesser used and more formal definition would be “to ignore a question under the assumption it has already been answered. The phrase itself comes from a translation of an Aristotelian phrase rendered as ‘beg the question’ meaning ‘assume the conclusion.'” – Merriam-Webster
Jodi used it in the first sense. You, I think, might be assuming that only the “lesser used and more formal definition” is correct. If so, I’m sympathetic. I would have made the same mistake. I thought “beg the question” only meant “assumes the conclusion”…until I looked it up in response to your comment.
Jodi Giddings says: Ah. As did I, Rick! Thanks for the lesson!
TMA says: ditto
— while I’m certain there are many trustworthy and honest agents employed by the FBI… —
What makes you so certain? Do you know any personally? Or is this just what you want to believe?
The Swamp is wide and deep. It’s time for all of its denizens to lose the presumption of integrity.
GlobalTrvlr says: “while I’m certain there are many trustworthy and honest agents employed by the FBI, the agency itself has lost the trust of scores of Americans. ”
Only scores? I think it is scores of millions.
On a tangent, it seems like calling this place pedoph-isle would be such an obvious abbreviation of the place.
Jodi Giddings says: I tend to believe that’s true…but I’d need to run a poll to verify, which takes far longer than writing a blog post. 😉
John Galt says: “While I’m certain there are many trustworthy and honest agents employed by the FBI….”
Really, then why has the corruption continued. What looked like The 1st Armored Division with the entire US Navy to arrest Roger Stone in his underwear? No whistle blowers. Not one.
Every FBI agent who participated in that is a P.O.S. If ordered to kill you and your family under orders they would not hesitate,
No whistle blowers on anything the FBI has done in years. Look,to work for a government agency these days at any level requires you to be a Leftist or if not, and you know what;’s good for you and your “career”, then to keep your mouth shut forever.
Sorry I don’t trust any of them. Not one.
Jodi Giddings says: Nor do I. Thus my initial reaction to this “raid”…
TMA says: I hate to have to agree, considering that the FBI was once the premier law enforcement agency in the world. Nevertheless I have to add that they have done an amazingly good job of counter-terrorism, and we should keep that in mind as we try to purge them.
JeffH says: Our progressive/regressive syndrome-suffering brethren and sistern on the left have spent my entire life (just shy of 60 years) attempting to dismantle law enforcement as well as the legal framework it is supposed to support and act within, so why should anyone be surprised that we now find ourselves with a completely untrustworthy, weaponized DoJ/FBI/intelligence community?
Jodi Giddings says: Bingo
Mac says: Francis asks a VERY good question. Why SHOULD we trust ANY of those people after what we’ve seen them do? I know I no longer would trust ANY ‘Rat to even return a library book, much less with anything more valuable or important. There are a lot of Subotai’s TWANLOC out there, and it would only make sense for them to have gravitated to government at all levels. Judging from the government’s a) ineptitude and b) professed dislike since 2008 for the nation’s white majority, about the only thing I expect from the government is that they will do things to injure the nation, and that the damage they intend to cause will be minimized only by their incompetence.
Jodi Giddings says: No argument here, Mac!
BonHagar says: To question the FBI after hires like Comey, McCabe, Strozk, Mueller and that deputy director of counter-intel whom said on MSNBC that Trump raising the American flag up on 8/8 constituted a message to Nazis…well, doze the building, burn the contents there and salt the earth beneath it.
Jodi Giddings says: I second that.
EL says: My take is that the Intelligence Community took over the Epstein enterprise at some point because it offered low risk and high reward opportunity to conduct deep surveillance on leading
politicians, business leaders, foreign leaders, and power brokers.
In my story, Epstein ran the day-to-day operations and the IC directed the info targets. The girls were the bait and the mansions were the kill zones. The IC provided Epstein protection and reconn.. Epstein was allowed to make money because it kept him focused on the job and because there were ongoing expenses from running the enterprise.
This was a black operation from the start as far as the IC was concerned. No Congress, no Press and no public with access to the properties. The IC made sure that the premises were wired and that every tryst was documented. Bingo, the IC gets it hooks into A-listers and they are
hooked for life.
ce gatheringToday’s FBI search is just an evidence suppression adventure.
DaveK says: A small comment on the drone footage of the “temple”… I have seen several reports about that structure saying that it has brackets for barring the doors and windows from the outside, to perhaps imprison persons inside. The drone video at least puts that theory to rest. Those are lighting fixtures around the outside of the structure.
Still, lots of mystery about the island, and far too much time allowed to pass before evidence was sought. It’s hard to believe in incompetence when so many incompetencies coincide to thwart justice. To quote Ian Flemming: “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.”
Ruth A. Douthitt says: Seriously! I think the only reason the FBI is there is to wipe out all evidence of high level guests like Clinton and other Dems. And I think they planted evidence against Trump. Just watch…
Jim S. says: F.B.I.=FULL BLOWN IDIOT’S. Really does not matter. Like everything else. Here in a few all will be forgotten. The crooks get away and the people get hosed once more. It’s in THEIR plan. Enjoy.
gls says: agreed! They weren’t see by the people of St Thomas coming back with anything. The only way off that island is by boat, or a helicopter from the airport the island. St Thomas has the only airport out of the USVI. People who worked at the airport said they saw very young girls coming and going with Epstine. That island is only about 3-4 miles off the main island of St Thomas and there were lots of boaters and tourists watching and snapping pics. Let’s hope they start leaking them.
[…] Victory Girls Blog: 8 Questions About the FBI’s Raid of Epstein’s “Pedophile Island” […]
63 Comments