Island luck co-founders slam human and gun trafficking allegations in Epstein file

Island Luck co-founders Sebas Bastian (left) and Adrian Fox

As of Friday, February 6, 2026

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Island Luck’s co-founders yesterday both slammed claims they were involved in human and firearms trafficking as alleged in a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report released in the files on convicted paedophile and sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.

Sebas Bastian and Adrian Fox both told Tribune Business in separate statements that they had never “met or associated” with the late financier after their named were both included in September 30, 2021, FBI document which detailed how an informant had alleged in an interview that “Epstein controlled the Bahamian and US governments”.

Mr Bastian, currently campaigning as the PLP’s Fort Charlotte candidate, asserted “I don’t do fool” and added: “The closest I come to Epstein, Jepstein or any Stein is the stain on my shirt.” Signalling that he will not be distracted from the upcoming election, he added: “We have a country to build and I’m focused on helping with that.”

Mr Fox, meanwhile, voiced “grave concern” about the FBI report’s contents, and said: “I want to categorically state that I have never had any personal interaction with him [Epstein], nor have I engaged in any activities that could be construed as illegal, including the sale or trafficking of firearms or women.”

The two web shop gaming moguls were far from the only Bahamians named in the same FBI report. Also featuring was Craig Flowers, principal of the rival FML Group of Companies, though he was mentioned separately from Messrs Bastian and Fox and not linked, or connected to, claims of arms and human trafficking. Mr Flowers did not respond to requests for comment before press time last night, so Tribune Business is not detailing what was reported about him, but there is no suggestion that he has comitted any wrongdoing.

Also included, although his name was spelt incorrectly, was Marvin Dames, the former national security minister and an ex-deputy commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force who, like Mr Bastian, is standing as a candidate in the upcoming general election - for the Free National Movement (FNM) in Mount Moriah.

The FBI report said Mr Dames, who was named as ‘Marvin James’, brought the informant who made the allegations against the web shop gaming chiefs to the US embassy in Nassau who “took her information”. The ex-Cabinet minister yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business that this element of the report was accurate, although he challenged the document’s authenticity.

The informant’s name was redacted, or blacked out, in the FBI report. However, Tribune Business knows her identity and she is a wealthy US expatriate resident of The Bahamas who owns property, and lives in, Paradise Island’s high-end Ocean Club Estates. This newspaper has chosen not to name the woman, who is a fitness trainer by profession, for legal reasons.

Dawes 1 day, 20 hours ago

So the end paragraph The Tribune says it will not name the informant for legal reasons, but basically tells you who it is, if you know them. Bit like the punch of old.

One 1 day, 17 hours ago

It's quite bizarre. It's not necessary to say that the Tribune knows who the informant is and then give so much personal details about the person. It adds no value to the article and exposes the informant.

trueBahamian 4 hours, 20 minutes ago

These people dangerous. They basically put an arrow next to the lady.

TalRussell 1 day, 15 hours ago

There's 'still' that other situation in The Colony where a US court mentioned an unnamed politician, but local media (two dailies, "Yellah" & "Red" shirts aligned parties) are equally committed to not go diggin' so deep enough so as to revealing her/he identity, likely due to political sensitivity complexities surrounding the local individual. Just can't make she/him up!

licks2 1 day, 14 hours ago

A very close Lawyer friend of mine once said to me. . . IF THE POLICE EVER COMES TO YOU AND ASK ANYTHING. . .NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER SAY ANYTHING!! YOU MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT INFORMATION THEY HAVE!!!!

"I DON'T DO FOOL". . .is enough for these men. . .NOTHING MORE!!! The more they open their mouths, the deeper them holes become!!!

birdiestrachan 1 day, 14 hours ago

I believe Mr Fox and Mr Bastian. A bunch of foolishness. And Mr Dames what is that about. ??Why call Their names and not the woman's name who is the center of the story why is she protected

birdiestrachan 1 day, 13 hours ago

Mr dames please the woman could not find her way to the USA embassy?? You had to take her.??

moncurcool 1 day, 12 hours ago

Both dailies write a story and none say what was exactly said.

TalRussell 1 day, 8 hours ago

Yes, cuz there was never any heresy of Marvin "aka James" Dames, engaging in the 'side hustle' of conducting 'escourt' tours around and about Nassau Town.
Never know what's learn as we head into 2026 national election.
Can't fib this not even if we tried!
I think the hearsay vs heresy lyrics is done forming up in me upstairs.

ThisIsOurs 1 day, 4 hours ago

He was minister of national security. A victim came to him to report very serious allegations about powerful men in the country who were known to be heavy political "donors". Remember Sebas saying he felt he was already in the parliament or was it cabinet? Why would he say something like that? If I were the minister of national security, knowing there were tentacles reaching into the police force ranks, I wouldnt trust allegations to anyone else either

ThisIsOurs 1 day, 4 hours ago

Would participating in illegal gambling for decades be considered "doing fool" or would participating in a human smuggling operation "just one time" and stopping because "I was almost caught" be construed as "illegal"?

On Epstein on the whole, sadly most men dont see anything wrong with abusing their positions to take advantage of women. It's part of being "a man"... from the rich to the poor. I saw a line of men one day on break by the roadside and I thought it strange that everyone was congregated at the spot... I drove further up the road and then saw the primary-middle school girls walking up..school was just let out.... As to "exchange een no Robbery" many men with powerful influence have lots of money to use as honeypots or traps, the women are drawn in, then the abuse begins. I think young boys need to be retrained to not think this privilege is "cute"

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