A pastor in Missouri has been suspended over reported ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Rev. Stephanie L. Remington was placed on leave from her role in The United Methodist Church after it emerged she allegedly worked for and managed Epstein’s private island for nearly a year.
Remington reportedly served as Epstein’s administrative assistant and temporary property manager at Little Saint James from August 2018 to May 2019 — two months before Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges in July 2019. He died the following month, reportedly by suicide.
She told United Methodist News that she did not witness any abuse during her time on the island, though she acknowledged she was aware of Epstein’s criminal history when she accepted the role.
“I never saw anything,” Remington said. “I knew him for the last nine months of his life, well after he served time for the things that he was accused of doing.”
Her name appears in at least 1,800 documents released by the US Department of Justice, most of which are emails relating to day-to-day operations.
Remington has not been accused of any crime. Her suspension is temporary and set for 90 days.
“The Missouri Conference had no knowledge of the individual’s association with Mr. Epstein. Clergy serving in extension ministry operate outside a local church appointment and report their ministry setting through annual paperwork submitted to the Conference,” the Missouri Conference said.
“No information indicating this association was disclosed in any of those reports. The Bishop or district superintendent were not contacted about the individual’s interest in or acceptance of the Epstein-related position.”
According to The Hill, Remington worked for Epstein for nearly a year in the roles described.
Before working for Epstein, Remington served as a pastor and associate pastor at several churches from 2001 to 2018. It is unclear how she came into contact with him.