Epstein Estate to Pay $35 Million to Settle Sex Abuse Claims

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The estate of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused two of Epstein's advisers, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, of aiding and abetting his sex trafficking of young women and teenage girls. The proposed settlement, which requires approval from a federal judge in New York, aims to 'finally, and forever' resolve claims from victims who say they were 'sexually assaulted or abused or trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein between January 1, 1995, and through August 10, 2019,' the date of his death in prison.

Why it matters

The Epstein case has sparked a wave of resignations worldwide, with the fallout hitting hardest in the UK, where three senior officials in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government stepped down and King Charles's brother Andrew lost his titles. This settlement is a significant step in resolving the legal claims against Epstein's estate and his associates.

The details

Indyke and Kahn, who have not been accused of abusing women or witnessing any such abuse, have denied all liability to Epstein's victims and agreed to the settlement terms without admitting wrongdoing. The proposed agreement provides for a total payout of $35 million to the group – estimated by their attorney to include at least 40 eligible women – or $25 million if fewer than 40 qualify. This payout follows a prior distribution of $121 million to 136 claimants through the Epstein Victims Compensation Program, as well as a subsequent $48 million settlement covering 59 victims.

• The lawsuit was initially filed in 2024 against Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn.
• The proposed settlement was reached on February 20, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The proposed agreement requires approval from a federal judge in New York to become final.