Bank of America Settles Lawsuit with Epstein Accusers

The bank reached a settlement in principle with women who accused it of facilitating their sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:50pm

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Bank of America has settled a civil lawsuit brought by women who accused the bank of facilitating their sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. Lawyers for the bank and the women told a Manhattan-based U.S. District Court judge that they had reached a 'settlement in principle,' though the terms of the settlement were not immediately clear. The settlement requires the judge's approval, and a court hearing is scheduled for April 2 to consider approving the deal.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking crimes and the efforts of his accusers to hold enablers and facilitators accountable. The settlement with Bank of America is one more step in the pursuit of justice for Epstein's victims.

The details

The proposed class action lawsuit, filed in October by a woman using the pseudonym Jane Doe, accused Bank of America of ignoring suspicious financial transactions related to Epstein despite having information about his crimes. The bank had argued that Doe's claims were 'threadbare and meritless,' but a judge ruled in January that the bank must face the claims that it knowingly benefited from Epstein's sex trafficking and obstructed enforcement of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

  • On March 12, lawyers for the bank and the women told a Manhattan-based U.S. District Court judge that they had reached a 'settlement in principle'.
  • A court hearing is scheduled for April 2 to consider approving the settlement.

The players

Bank of America

The nation's second-largest bank, which was accused of facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking crimes.

Jane Doe

The woman who filed the proposed class action lawsuit against Bank of America, using a pseudonym.

Jed Rakoff

The Manhattan-based U.S. District Court judge who will consider approving the settlement between Bank of America and the women.

Sigrid McCawley

A lawyer representing the women who accused Bank of America of facilitating their sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein.

Leon Black

The billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management, who was scheduled to be questioned under oath by lawyers for the women and Bank of America before the settlement was reached.

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What they’re saying

“Today's resolution of the case against Bank of America is one more step on the road to much deserved justice.”

— Sigrid McCawley, Lawyer for the women

What’s next

A scheduled May 11 trial will not take place if the settlement is approved by Judge Rakoff.

The takeaway

This settlement is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by Jeffrey Epstein's accusers to hold enablers and facilitators of his alleged sex trafficking crimes accountable. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to seek justice for Epstein's victims and the challenges in navigating the complex web of financial and institutional connections that may have enabled his alleged crimes.