Bank of America Settles Epstein Abuse Lawsuit for $72.5M

The settlement resolves claims the bank facilitated the sex trafficker's crimes.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bank of America has agreed to pay $72.5 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by women who accused the bank of enabling Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking crimes. The proposed class action lawsuit alleged the bank ignored suspicious financial transactions related to Epstein despite having information about his criminal activities, prioritizing profits over protecting victims.

Why it matters

This settlement is the latest in a series of legal actions against financial institutions accused of enabling Epstein's sex trafficking network. It highlights the ongoing efforts to hold companies accountable for their role, even indirectly, in facilitating abuse by high-profile criminals.

The details

The settlement requires approval from U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, who had previously ruled that Bank of America must face the claims that it knowingly benefited from Epstein's sex trafficking. The lawsuit alleged the bank processed payments to Epstein from Apollo Global Management's co-founder Leon Black, who had paid Epstein $158 million for tax and estate planning.

  • The proposed class action lawsuit was filed in October.
  • In January, Judge Rakoff ruled that Bank of America must face the claims.
  • The settlement was reached in March 2026.

The players

Bank of America

The second-largest U.S. bank, which was accused of ignoring suspicious financial transactions related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jane Doe

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

Judge Jed Rakoff

The Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge overseeing the case.

Leon Black

The billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management, who paid Epstein $158 million for tax and estate planning.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bank of America must face Doe's claims that it knowingly benefited from Epstein's sex trafficking and obstructed enforcement of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act.”

— Judge Jed Rakoff, U.S. District Judge

“Any suggestion that it was more deeply involved was 'threadbare and meritless.'”

— Bank of America

What’s next

The settlement requires Judge Rakoff's approval, and a court hearing is scheduled for Thursday to consider approving the deal.

The takeaway

This settlement is part of a broader effort to hold financial institutions accountable for their role in enabling Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network, underscoring the importance of companies prioritizing ethical practices over profits.