Epstein Secrets

FOR PUBLICATION FOR UPLOAD IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN FINANCIAL TRUST COMPANY, INC. AND JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN, Plaintiffs, v. CITIBANK, N.A. AND CITIGROUP, INC. d/b/a "CITIGROUP," Defendants. ATTORNEYS: Maria Tankenson Hodge, Esq. Hodge & Francois St

ill grant leave for the plaintiffs to amend their pleadings. I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND In their amended complaint, Jeffrey E. Epstein ("Epstein") and Financial Trust Company, Inc. ("FTC"] [collectively "plaintiffs"] allege that Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") and Citigroup, Inc. ["Citigroup"]

AND ST. JOHN FINANCIAL TRUST COMPANY, INC. AND JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN, Plaintiffs, v. CITIBANK, N.A. AND CI

AND ST. JOHN FINANCIAL TRUST COMPANY, INC. AND JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN, Plaintiffs, v. CITIBANK, N.A. AND CIT

" 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). Citibank and Citigroup bear the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that transfer is necessary. In re Charles Schwab & Co. Sec. Litig., 69 F. Supp. 2d 734, 735 (D.V.I. 1999) (citing Shutte v. Armco Steel Corp., 431 F.2d 22, 25 (3d Cir. 1970)). Although a trial judge is aff

defense of an inconvenient forum, they did not agree to sue or be sued exclusively in New York. The Amended 1999 Note states that the undersigned [Epstein] hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in New York City, and the undersigned hereby irrevoca

e." 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). Citibank and Citigroup bear the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that transfer is necessary. In re Charles Schwab & Co. Sec. Litig.. 69 F.Supp.2d 734, 735 (D.Vi.1999) (citing Shutte v. Armco Steel Corp., 431 F.2d 22, 25 (3d Cir. 1970)). Although a trial judge is afforded

. Co.. 55 F.3d 873, 879-80 (3d Cir.1995). Considering the totality of the circumstances surrounding this case, I make the following findings. First, Epstein and Financial Trust have selected this forum, and they are residents of the Virgin Islands with strong ties to this community. Epstein owns a seven

e." 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). Citibank and Citigroup bear the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that transfer is necessary. In re Charles Schwab & Co. Sec. Litig., 69 F.Supp.2d 734, 735 (D.Vi.1999) (citing Shutte v. Armco Steel Corp. 431 F.2d 22, 25 (3d Cir. 1970)). Although a trial judge is afforded