Full Breakdown
Judge Approves $72.5 Million Settlement Between Bank of America and Jeffrey Epstein Victims
8/27/2026, 10:58:42 PM
Settlement Approval
On August 27, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan granted final approval to a $72.5 million class-action settlement with women who sued Bank of America for allegedly facilitating Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse. The judge said the deal would give many victims “substantial” compensation and “justice, even if partial.”
Background of the Epstein-Bank Lawsuits
The lawsuit, filed in 2025, alleged that Bank of America ignored a “plethora” of suspicious transactions linked to Epstein and failed to alert law-enforcement, thereby enabling his sex-trafficking operation. Plaintiffs, collectively identified as Jane Doe, claimed the bank’s “absolute loyalty” gave Epstein institutional legitimacy. Similar actions resulted in settlements with JPMorgan Chase ($290 million) and Deutsche Bank ($75 million) in 2023, though none included admissions of wrongdoing. Bank of America has consistently denied facilitating sex-trafficking crimes.
Key Figures
- Jed Rakoff – U.S. District Judge, Manhattan Federal Court.
- Jane Doe – Pseudonym for the lead plaintiff, a Florida resident who said Epstein abused her at least 100 times between 2011 and 2019.
- Bank of America spokesperson – Declared the bank “did not facilitate sex-trafficking crimes” and welcomed the settlement as a way to “put this matter behind us.”
- Leon Black – Former Apollo Global Management chief executive who paid Epstein $158 million for estate-planning services; his payments were among the transactions cited as suspicious.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Rakoff described the approval as “a significant step toward accountability” while acknowledging that “no amount of money can ever fully compensate Epstein’s victims for the harm they’ve suffered.” The Bank of America spokesperson emphasized that the settlement allows the bank to move forward without admitting liability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No amount of money can ever fully compensate Epstein’s victims for the harm they’ve suffered,” — Jed Rakoff, district judge
- “There are cases, including very much this one, where that hasn’t just been talk, it’s reality.” — Jed Rakoff, district judge
