In a surprising revelation, House Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands found herself in the spotlight after it emerged that she had exchanged text messages with Jeffrey Epstein during a pivotal 2018 committee hearing. The hearing, which featured testimony from Michael Cohen, a former attorney for Donald Trump, was the backdrop for these communications, with Plaskett reportedly seeking Epstein’s input on questioning strategies for Cohen.

Plaskett, who represents the district including the notorious Little Saint James Island, famously owned by Epstein, defended her actions by claiming ignorance of Epstein’s criminal background. She explained, “I received a text from Jeffrey Epstein, who was my constituent at the time. It was not public knowledge then that he was under federal investigation. He was sharing information with me.” This statement came in light of a House vote considering her censure.

The controversy is further heightened by Epstein’s criminal history. He was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, and a November 2018 investigative series by the Miami Herald exposed claims from over 60 women who accused Epstein of sexually abusing them as minors. Despite these revelations, questions remain unanswered regarding Plaskett’s connection to Epstein. The Daily Mail has reached out to her for further comment, as it remains unclear how she acquired Epstein’s contact information or whether they had ever met personally.

Plaskett’s speech on the House floor came before a Republican-led vote to censure and strip her of committee assignment for texting Epstein. Republicans, however, failed to gain enough votes to censure the Democrat over her relationship with the convicted sexual offender. The resolution to censure Plaskett was sabotaged by three Republican lawmakers who voted present. The final late censure vote tally 214-209.

Plaskett also blasted House Republicans for texting President Donald Trump, who she claimed was a convicted felon. ‘You want to talk about texting? Texting felons? How often do you text President Donald J. Trump?’ Plaskett said while addressing Republicans.

‘That’s the individual we should be concerned about. And let me tell you this, I am not gonna support the wealthy and connected who continue to exploit workers and evade taxes, powerful figures with credible allegations who face no consequences, and corporate interests profiting from human suffering while families struggle.’ Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, who introduced the legislation to censure Plaskett, erupted by claiming it was ‘beyond comprehension’ that Plaskett would work with Epstein during official House proceedings.

If the Republican censure would have passed, the House Ethics Committee would have opened an investigation into Plaskett’s relationship with Epstein. The investigation into the lawmaker’s relationship with the convicted sexual offender will likely not open following the censure resolution’s failure.