NY Times inquiry to USVI economic agency on Epstein's tax benefits, Oct. 2019

EXHIBIT 71¶

From: Margarita VO=USVIEDAEXCH/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=MAGARITA A. Sent: 10/2/2019 2:22:17 PM To: Joy Penn (jpenn@usvieda.org); Sandra Bess (sbess@usvieda.org) Subject: FW: URGENT - NY Times INQUIRY: Follow-up questions for comment • NYT¶

Good Day Ladies,¶

Please see the recent request from NY Times. Your feedback on the response is appreciated. I personally think the questions are opening us up to public scrutiny.¶

Margarita Managing Director, Economic Development Email: mabeniamin@usvieda.orq Phone: 340-714-1700 Ext 1611 Fax: 340-774-8106 www.usvieda.org¶

icontonk Development Authority¶

8000 Nis Shopping Center, Suite 620 St. , U.S. Virgin Islands 00802¶

From: Kamal I. Sent: Wednesday, October 2, 2019 1:45 PM To: Shanell Petersen spetersen@usvieda.org; Tracy Bhola, Esq. tbhola@usvieda.org; Wayne Biggs, Jr. wbiggs@usvieda.org; Margarita mabenjamin@usvieda.org Cc: Henry C. Smock hsmock@smvilaw.com; Kevin Rodriquez krodriquez@usvieda.org; Semele A.C. sgeorge@usvieda.org Subject: Re: URGENT - NY Times INQUIRY: Follow-up questions for comment - NYT¶

Good afternoon Colleagues.¶

Please have a response prepared for review as per our media response protocol.¶

Thank you.¶

Kind regards,¶

Kamal¶

Kamal I. Chief Executive Officer Email: klatham@usviedo.orq Phone: 340-714-1700 Ext 1111 Fax: 340-774-0990 www.usvieda.orq¶

Ni Shopping Center, Suite 620¶

St. U.S. Virgin Islands 00802¶

On Oct 2, 2019, at 12:39 PM, Shanell Petersen <speterseneusvieda.orp> wrote:¶

Good afternoon,¶

Please see the additional inquiry from New York Times in need of immediate review below.¶

Respectfully,¶

Shanell¶

Shanell Petersen¶

Managing Director, Marketing & 2040 Vision¶

Email: soetersen@usyieda.orq¶

Phone: 340-714-1700 Ext 1511¶

Fax: 340-777-1103¶

www.usvieda.orq¶

i;;•;;;; toc:1;4:san’t¶

8000 I Shopping Center, Suite 620¶

St. U.S. Virgin Islands 00802¶

From: Eder, Steve [mailto:steve.eder®nytimes.com]¶

Sent: Wednesday, October 02, I.A.:44 AM¶

To: Shanell Petersen; Matthew¶

Subject: Follow-up questions for comment - NYT¶

Good morning, Shanell - We are planning an article relating to Mr. Epstein’s finances and businesses in USVI. The piece will raise the point that USVI has been criticized for not closely overseeing beneficiaries of the tax incentive programs. I’ve included a couple questions below for VIEDA:¶

• Was VIEDA comfortable with the answers it received from Mr. Epstein about his business practices & activities over the years? Should VIEDA have pressed Mr. Epstein about his business affairs?
• Was VIEDA satisfied with the return USVI’s return on Mr. Epstein’s businesses?

Thank you. Steve and Matt¶

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