BofA Agrees to Settle Claims It Aided Epstein Sex Crimes

Bank denies wrongdoing but agrees to settle lawsuit from Epstein victims

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:08pm

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Bank of America Corp. has agreed to settle a proposed class action lawsuit on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein victims who accused the bank of aiding in the deceased financier's sex-trafficking. The agreement in principle was noted in a court record, though the terms of the deal were not immediately available. The settlement must still be approved by a federal judge in Manhattan.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, with victims seeking to hold financial institutions accountable for allegedly enabling Epstein's criminal activities. The settlement could provide compensation to Epstein's victims, though the bank continues to deny any wrongdoing.

The details

The proposed class action lawsuit accused Bank of America of aiding in Epstein's sex-trafficking by providing banking services that facilitated his criminal enterprise. While the bank has denied any wrongdoing, it has agreed to settle the case out of court rather than continue to fight the allegations in a potentially lengthy and high-profile legal battle.

  • The agreement in principle was noted in the court docket on March 16, 2026.

The players

Bank of America Corp.

A major U.S. bank that has agreed to settle a lawsuit from Jeffrey Epstein's victims, though it denies any wrongdoing.

Jeffrey Epstein

A deceased financier who was accused of running a sex-trafficking operation, leading to lawsuits against institutions that allegedly enabled his crimes.

Jed Rakoff

A U.S. District Judge in Manhattan who must approve any settlement between Bank of America and Epstein's victims.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to approve the settlement between Bank of America and Epstein's victims.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal reckoning over financial institutions' potential role in enabling Jeffrey Epstein's criminal sex-trafficking operation, even as the bank denies wrongdoing. The settlement could provide some measure of justice and compensation for Epstein's victims.