Epstein Estate Agrees to $35 Million Settlement in Victims’ Class Action Case

Post by : Saif Nasser

The estate of Jeffrey Epstein has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed by victims of his sexual abuse and trafficking network. The agreement was announced in a federal court filing in Manhattan and could bring another chapter of the long legal battle closer to an end.

The lawsuit was filed in 2024 against two longtime advisers of Epstein: his former personal lawyer Darren Indyke and his former accountant Richard Kahn. Both men serve as co-executors of Epstein’s estate. The case accused them of helping Epstein carry out and hide his abuse of young women and teenage girls.

The settlement was announced by the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, which represents many of Epstein’s victims. If a judge approves the agreement, the payment will resolve the class action claims against the estate connected to this lawsuit.

According to court documents, neither Indyke nor Kahn admitted any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Their lawyer, Daniel H. Weiner, said they agreed to settle to bring final closure to potential claims against the estate. He stated that the co-executors were prepared to fight the case in court but chose mediation to avoid a long legal battle.

This new agreement adds to the large sums already paid out by the estate. In earlier efforts, the estate created a compensation fund that distributed about $121 million to victims. It also paid another $49 million in separate settlements. If the new $35 million deal is approved, the total amount paid to victims will grow even larger.

Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 while waiting for trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide. Even after his death, legal actions have continued as victims sought accountability from people and institutions connected to him.

In the 2024 lawsuit, victims’ lawyers argued that Indyke and Kahn helped Epstein build a complicated network of companies and bank accounts. They claimed this system allowed Epstein to move money, pay recruiters, and keep his actions hidden for years. The lawsuit said the advisers were well paid for their services.

The same law firm previously reached major settlements with JPMorgan Chase & Co and Deutsche Bank AG. Together, those agreements totaled $365 million. The banks were accused of missing warning signs while Epstein was a client.

The new settlement highlights how complex the legal process has been since Epstein’s death. Because he never stood trial, many victims have had to seek justice through civil lawsuits instead of criminal court. These cases focus on financial compensation and accountability from those who may have supported or ignored his actions.

For survivors, money cannot erase the pain they suffered. However, many have said that financial settlements can provide support, recognition, and a sense of justice. Civil cases also help bring public attention to failures that allowed abuse to continue for years.

The proposed $35 million settlement now awaits approval from a federal judge. If approved, it will close another legal case connected to one of the most notorious sex trafficking scandals in recent history.

The ongoing legal actions show that even after a central figure has died, the search for accountability does not end. Courts continue to examine the roles of advisers, financial institutions, and others who may have played a part in enabling abuse.

For many observers, the case stands as a reminder of the importance of oversight, transparency, and responsibility in positions of power.