A Manhattan federal judge granted preliminary approval to a proposed settlement that would have Jeffrey Epstein's estate pay up to $35 million to resolve a class-action suit alleging two former advisers aided his sex trafficking. The settlement, announced by Boies Schiller Flexner, would end a 2024 lawsuit against Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn and is scheduled for a final-approval hearing on Sept. 16. Epstein's estate has already paid $121 million in restitution and about $49 million in additional settlements. Attorneys say Indyke and Kahn made no admission of misconduct as part of the agreement.
Judge Gives Preliminary OK to $35M Epstein Estate Settlement; Final Hearing Set for Sept. 16
Protesters and members of the news media gather outside Manhattan Federal Court, during the arraignment hearing of Ghislaine Maxwell for her role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein, in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. July 14, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar
A Manhattan federal judge on Tuesday granted preliminary approval to a proposed settlement that would require Jeffrey Epstein's estate to pay up to $35 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that two of the late financier's advisers aided and abetted his sex trafficking of young women and teenage girls.
Settlement Details
The settlement, announced by the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner on Feb. 19, would resolve a 2024 lawsuit naming Epstein's former personal lawyer Darren Indyke and former accountant Richard Kahn, who serve as co-executors of the estate. Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the deal "appeared fair" and scheduled a final-approval hearing for Sept. 16.
"The agreement appears fair," Judge Subramanian said when granting preliminary approval.
Background And Previous Payouts
Epstein's estate previously established a restitution fund that paid $121 million to victims and reached roughly $49 million in additional settlements with claimants. Attorneys for Indyke and Kahn did not immediately respond to requests for comment; a lawyer for them previously said neither man "made any admission or concession of misconduct" as part of the settlement process.
Evidence And Allegations
In the 2024 complaint, Boies Schiller Flexner alleged that Indyke and Kahn helped Epstein construct a complex network of corporations and bank accounts that allowed him to conceal abuses and funnel payments to victims and recruiters, while the advisers were well compensated for their work. This year the Justice Department released millions of documents from its investigation into Epstein, shedding further light on his social ties to wealthy and influential people worldwide.
Related Litigation
Boies Schiller Flexner also previously helped secure approximately $365 million in settlements from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, accusing the banks of failing to identify red flags in their relationships with Epstein when he was a lucrative client.
Next Steps
The court's preliminary approval moves the matter closer to a potential final settlement but leaves the door open to objections and further court review ahead of the Sept. 16 hearing. Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019; his death was ruled a suicide.
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