The estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has agreed to pay up to $35 million to resolve a federal class action lawsuit brought by survivors who allege they were sexually abused and trafficked by Epstein over many years, according to a court filing filed on February 19, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The settlement which still requires approval from a federal judge represents another chapter in ongoing legal efforts to provide compensation and closure to victims of Epstein’s extensive sex trafficking network that spanned decades.
Details of the Settlement Agreement
Under the proposed settlement, the estate would pay $35 million if there are 40 or more qualified class members who participate in the lawsuit. If fewer than 40 eligible survivors opt into the class action, the total payout would be reduced to $25 million. The final amount and distribution will be determined through the court approval process.
The legal action was filed in 2024 and targets two of Epstein’s former closest advisers Darren Indyke, his longtime personal attorney, and Richard Kahn, his former accountant who also serve as co-executors of the Epstein estate. The plaintiffs allege that the pair aided and abetted Epstein’s trafficking operations by helping him structure and manage the complex corporate entities and financial accounts that facilitated his criminal conduct.
Although both Indyke and Kahn have denied any wrongdoing and have not been accused of criminal conduct they agreed to the settlement in order to “finally and forever” resolve the claims against them and the estate without further litigation. Their attorneys have emphasized that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or fault.
Context of Epstein’s Legal Fallout
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and registered sex offender, cultivated a
global network of powerful individuals before his arrest in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. In August 2019, Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in New York while awaiting trial, leaving behind unresolved claims from victims and survivors.
Since his death, the Epstein estate has been responsible for managing and resolving a series of civil claims from women who said they were abused, assaulted, or trafficked by Epstein over a period spanning from 1995 through his death in 2019.
Prior to this latest settlement, the estate established a restitution fund that paid out more than $121 million to victims. In addition, the estate has paid an estimated $49 million in other negotiated settlements to survivors. These efforts have aimed to compensate victims who had not previously received restitution and to
avoid protracted litigation whenever possible.
Allegations Against Advisers
The 2024 lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court alleged that Indyke and Kahn played an instrumental role in helping Epstein hide assets, manage his businesses, and evade scrutiny from law enforcement and regulators. Plaintiffs claim the two men structured a web of
corporations and financial accounts that obscured Epstein’s activities and made it easier for him to continue exploiting women and minors.
However, in legal filings their defense attorneys pushed back, stating there was no evidence Indyke or Kahn were directly involved in Epstein’s criminal conduct. They maintained that the advisers were merely providing professional services and did not facilitate or witness any sex trafficking activity.
Importance of Judicial Approval
While the settlement agreement has been publicly disclosed in court documents, it cannot take effect until a federal judge reviews and approves the proposed terms. During this review, the judge will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate for the class of victims and survivors.
Victims’ attorneys have expressed cautious optimism that the judge will sign off on the deal, pointing to the financial relief it offers a group of survivors who have struggled for years to obtain compensation. The exact number of women who will participate in the settlement remains unclear, but legal representatives have indicated confidence that the threshold for the full $35 million payout will be met.
Broader Legal and Financial Impact
The settlement comes amid broader legal actions related to Epstein’s network. In recent years, attorneys representing Epstein’s victims secured significant settlements from major banks that were connected to his financial activities, including more than $365 million in total from institutions such as JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank over allegations that those banks failed to act on warning signs about Epstein’s conduct.
These corporate settlements, combined with payouts from Epstein’s estate, reflect a larger pattern of civil litigation seeking accountability and restitution for survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking. Legal experts say these efforts have set important precedents for how
estates and financial intermediaries can be held responsible in complex abuse cases.
Looking Ahead
If the settlement is approved, it will mark one of the last major civil resolutions tied to the core structure of Epstein’s estate and close another chapter in a long legal saga that has involved multiple lawsuits, investigative releases, and public scrutiny.
For survivors and their advocates, the settlement represents not only financial compensation but also an acknowledgment of the trauma they endured and a symbolic step toward accountability. As the legal process continues, many eyes will be on the court’s final decision and its potential implications for similar future cases.
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