Bank of America Settles with Epstein Victims

Up to 75 women may receive payouts from $72.5 million fund

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled bank statement or financial document, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the financial crimes and suspicious transactions that enabled Epstein's sex trafficking operation.The $72.5 million settlement aims to provide financial compensation and closure for victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking crimes, though questions remain about the role of financial institutions in enabling such abuses.Manhattan Today

A $72.5 million settlement fund has been established as part of a deal between lawyers representing victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Bank of America. U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff gave the deal preliminary approval, and a final approval hearing is set for August 27. Lawyers believe 60 to 75 women will make claims eligible for payouts from the fund, with up to 30% potentially going to the plaintiffs' lawyers.

Why it matters

The settlement aims to provide some financial compensation and closure for the victims of Epstein's decades-long sex trafficking scheme, which involved the abuse of dozens of young women and girls. The case also raises questions about the role of financial institutions in enabling such crimes and the need for stronger oversight and reporting requirements.

The details

Lawyers for the women had sued Bank of America, alleging the bank ignored suspicious financial transactions involving Epstein that occurred while he was abusing victims from June 2008 until his arrest in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. The settlement fund will allow eligible victims to make claims for payouts, with the final distribution to be determined by the court.

  • The settlement deal was given preliminary approval on April 4, 2026.
  • A final approval hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2026.

The players

Jed S. Rakoff

A U.S. District Judge who gave the settlement deal preliminary approval and set a final approval hearing.

David Boies

An attorney representing the victims, who stated that lawyers believe 60 to 75 women will make eligible claims for payouts from the settlement fund.

Bank of America

The financial institution that reached the $72.5 million settlement with lawyers representing Epstein's victims.

Jeffrey Epstein

The disgraced financier who was convicted of sex trafficking and died in prison in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“This resolution allows us to put this matter behind us and provides further closure for the plaintiffs.”

— Bank of America

“There may be more we haven't identified.”

— David Boies, Attorney

What’s next

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for August 27, 2026, at which point the court will determine the final distribution of the $72.5 million fund to eligible victims.

The takeaway

This settlement represents an important step in providing some measure of justice and financial compensation to the victims of Epstein's horrific crimes, though many questions remain about the role of financial institutions in enabling such abuses and the need for stronger safeguards to prevent similar cases in the future.