Epstein estate agrees to $35 million settlement in victim class action
Jeffrey Epstein’s Estate Reaches $35 Million Settlement in Class Action Against Advisers
The estate of Jeffrey Epstein has settled a class-action lawsuit seeking up to $35 million, following accusations that two of his former advisors played a role in enabling his sex trafficking operations. The agreement, disclosed in a court filing on Thursday, was announced by Boies Schiller Flexner, a law firm representing victims. This resolution marks the end of a 2024 case targeting Darren Indyke, Epstein’s former personal lawyer, and Richard Kahn, his ex-accountant, who also serve as co-executors of the estate.
Before this deal, the Epstein estate had already allocated $121 million through a restitution fund to address claims from survivors. Additional settlements totaling $49 million were also distributed to victims. Daniel H. Weiner, the lawyers’ representative, clarified that neither Indyke nor Kahn admitted to wrongdoing in the latest settlement. “Because they did nothing wrong, the co-executors were prepared to fight the claims through to trial,” he stated in an emailed message. “However, they chose to mediate and settle to ensure finality for any potential claims against the estate.”
Weiner highlighted that the new agreement provides victims with a confidential pathway to financial relief, particularly those whose cases had not yet been resolved. Epstein’s death occurred in August 2019 at a New York jail, where it was determined to be a suicide. The 2024 lawsuit alleged that Indyke and Kahn helped Epstein construct a corporate and financial network designed to conceal his abuses, while ensuring victims and recruiters received substantial compensation for their involvement.
Historical Settlements and Legal History
Boies Schiller Flexner previously secured $365 million in settlements from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, citing their failure to identify red flags in Epstein’s activities. This latest settlement underscores the firm’s ongoing efforts to hold Epstein’s associates accountable, even as the financier’s estate continues to manage its legal obligations.
“The co-executors were prepared to fight the claims against them through to trial, but agreed to mediate and settle this lawsuit in order to achieve finality as to any potential claims against the Epstein Estate,” said Daniel H. Weiner.
