Bank of America settles lawsuit over Jeffrey Epstein ties

The bank was accused of ignoring suspicious transactions involving the convicted sex offender.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bank of America has tentatively settled a lawsuit claiming it ignored suspicious financial transactions involving Jeffrey Epstein while he was sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women. The proposed settlement was revealed in filings in Manhattan federal court, with the terms not disclosed. The lawsuit accused the bank of ignoring $170 million that billionaire financier Leon Black paid from a Bank of America account to Epstein purportedly for "tax and estate planning advice."

Why it matters

This case highlights the role that major financial institutions may have played in enabling Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities through their handling of his financial transactions. It raises questions about the level of scrutiny banks apply to suspicious activity by high-profile clients and whether more could have been done to detect and report potential wrongdoing.

The details

The lawsuit, brought on behalf of a woman identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Bank of America "ignored numerous red flags" of improper financial dealings and "went far beyond what a non-complicit bank would have done" in assisting Epstein. It claimed the bank helped Epstein set up the financial structure to operate his sex-trafficking venture, including paying the woman's rent and income through a Bank of America account as she was controlled "financially, emotionally, and psychologically" by Epstein.

  • The lawsuit was filed in October 2025.
  • Bank of America tentatively settled the lawsuit in March 2026.

The players

Bank of America

A major American multinational investment bank and financial services company.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who was accused of sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women.

Leon Black

A billionaire financier who was recently described as a "critical witness" in the case against Bank of America.

Jane Doe

A woman who was living in Russia when she met Epstein in 2011 and was "coerced into a cult-like life" and sexually abused by him on at least 100 occasions.

Sigrid McCawley

A lawyer representing the Epstein victims.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

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

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the role that major financial institutions may have played in enabling Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities through their handling of his financial transactions, raising questions about the level of scrutiny banks apply to suspicious activity by high-profile clients and whether more could have been done to detect and report potential wrongdoing.