Manhattan, United States. A US judge granted preliminary approval to an agreement for Jeffrey Epstein’s estate to pay as much as $35 million to resolve a class action lawsuit accusing two of his advisers of aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The judge set a September 16 hearing to consider final approval.
Settlement and court review
Boies Schiller Flexner, a law firm representing Epstein victims, announced the settlement on February 19. On Tuesday, Manhattan-based US District Judge Arun Subramanian said the agreement appeared fair and scheduled a hearing for September 16 to consider granting final approval.
Defendants and lawsuit background
The deal would end a 2024 lawsuit filed against Epstein’s former personal lawyer Darren Indyke and former accountant Richard Kahn, who are co-executors of Epstein’s estate. The lawsuit accused the two of aiding and abetting Epstein’s sex trafficking of young women and teenage girls.
Responses from counsel
Lawyers for Indyke and Kahn did not immediately respond to requests for comment. One of their lawyers had previously said neither Indyke nor Kahn “made any admission or concession of misconduct” as part of the settlement.
What will the court consider at the September 16 hearing on final approval of the settlement?