Home / Crime and Justice / Epstein Victims Win Partial Victory Against Bank of America
Epstein Victims Win Partial Victory Against Bank of America
30 Jan
Summary
- Judge allowed parts of sex trafficking victims' lawsuit against Bank of America.
- Another lawsuit against BNY (Bank of New York Mellon) was dismissed entirely.
- Victims claim Bank of America knowingly benefited from Epstein's operation.
In a mixed ruling, a federal judge has permitted certain claims to advance in a lawsuit brought by sex trafficking victims of Jeffrey Epstein against Bank of America.
US District Judge Jed Rakoff allowed portions of the proposed class-action to move forward, specifically claims that Bank of America was a "knowing beneficiary" of Epstein's sex-trafficking operation. This ruling followed accusations that the bank facilitated millions of dollars into Epstein's accounts, allegedly used for hush money payments.
Conversely, Rakoff dismissed the entirety of a separate lawsuit filed by the same victims against BNY, also known as Bank of New York Mellon. The dismissed suit had alleged BNY ignored red flags while processing Epstein's wire transfers and extending credit to a modeling agency financed by Epstein.
Attorneys for the victims expressed satisfaction with the Bank of America ruling and announced plans to appeal the dismissal of the BNY case. Bank of America maintained it provided only routine banking services, while BNY stated it had no involvement in Epstein's crimes.
The litigation continues with a trial against Bank of America scheduled for May, as the Justice Department faces pressure to release files related to Epstein's case.
