Epstein Victims: Compensation, Legal Proceedings & Ongoing Cases
A source-verified guide to justice for Epstein's victims — the $125M+ compensation fund, banking lawsuits totaling $440M+, the 2026 NYC lookback window, and ongoing civil and criminal proceedings.
Overview
The pursuit of justice for Jeffrey Epstein's victims has involved multiple legal mechanisms spanning over a decade. From the initial failures of the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement to the landmark 2021 Maxwell conviction and the ongoing consequences of the 2026 Epstein Files Transparency Act, victims have fought for accountability through criminal proceedings, civil litigation, and legislative advocacy.
This page provides an overview of the justice mechanisms available to Epstein victims and the current state of proceedings.
The Victims' Compensation Program
In June 2020, an independent Victims' Compensation Program was established to provide financial compensation to individuals who suffered abuse by Epstein, according to program reports. Key facts:
- Over $125 million distributed to approximately 150 claimants
- Funded by the Epstein estate
- Administered independently, with confidential claims review
- Participants waived claims against the estate
- Program concluded operations in 2021
Not all identified victims participated; some chose to pursue independent legal action instead. For a detailed guide, see our victim compensation explainer.
Criminal Proceedings
Convictions
According to DOJ records and court filings:
- Ghislaine Maxwell — Convicted December 2021 on five counts including sex trafficking; sentenced to 20 years. All appeals exhausted as of January 2026.
- Jeffrey Epstein — Pleaded guilty to state charges 2008; federally indicted July 2019 by SDNY; died in custody August 2019.
- Prince Andrew — Arrested February 19, 2026, by Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. CPS charging decision pending.
Ongoing Investigations
According to testimony by AG Pam Bondi at the February 2026 congressional hearing:
- The DOJ has active, ongoing investigations related to individuals identified in the Epstein files
- Investigations span multiple jurisdictions and involve international law enforcement cooperation
- The classified "politically exposed persons" list has been transmitted to Congress
- The department assigned additional resources following the Transparency Act release
Civil Litigation
Banking Settlements
Financial institutions have paid hundreds of millions in settlements:
| Institution | Amount | Recipient | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMorgan Chase | $290M | Victim class action | June 2023 |
| JPMorgan Chase | $75M | USVI government | June 2023 |
| Deutsche Bank | $75M | USVI government | October 2023 |
| Total documented | $440M+ |
A lawsuit against Bank of America was filed in October 2025 and is ongoing.
Estate Claims
The Epstein estate has been the subject of enforcement actions by the USVI Attorney General and claims by victims who did not participate in the compensation program. Estate assets, including Little St. James and Great St. James islands, have been subject to disposition through the legal proceedings.
The 2026 NYC Lookback Window
Effective March 1, 2026, the NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act lookback window allows civil claims regardless of when the underlying conduct occurred. This is significant because:
- Many alleged abuses occurred at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse
- Traditional statutes of limitations had expired for many claims
- The window enables victims previously time-barred from filing
- Multiple law firms are actively representing claimants
Legislative Advocacy
Victims and their advocates have successfully pushed for legislative changes:
- Epstein Files Transparency Act (November 2025) — Requiring DOJ disclosure of investigation materials
- NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act lookback provision — Opening new civil litigation paths
- State-level reforms — Several states have passed or considered legislation extending statutes of limitations for sex trafficking claims
International Proceedings
The Epstein case has generated legal proceedings across multiple countries:
- United Kingdom — Prince Andrew arrested February 2026; Metropolitan Police investigation ongoing
- France — Investigation into activities at Epstein's Paris apartment
- Norway — Criminal charges against former PM Thorbjorn Jagland
- U.S. Virgin Islands — USVI AG enforcement actions against estate
Resources for Survivors
- Legal representation — Several law firms specialize in Epstein victim representation
- RAINN — National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- DOJ cooperation — Ongoing investigations welcome victim and witness cooperation
- Victims' rights organizations — Multiple organizations provide support services
Primary Sources
- Victims' Compensation Program reports — justice.gov
- New York Times, compensation reporting — nytimes.com
- Reuters, banking settlement coverage — reuters.com
- Associated Press, victim litigation — apnews.com
- USVI Attorney General — vi.gov
- DOJ Maxwell sentencing — justice.gov
For the full case history, see The Epstein Files. Learn about the legal proceedings in our case timeline, or read our victim compensation guide.
Sources
- [1]Epstein Victims' Compensation Program Final Report, 2021 https://www.justice.gov/ (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [2]New York Times, 'Epstein Victims' Fund Has Paid Out $121 Million,' August 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/ (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [3]Reuters, JPMorgan Epstein settlement, June 2023 https://www.reuters.com/ (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [4]Associated Press, banking settlements and victim litigation https://apnews.com/ (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [5]USVI Attorney General, enforcement action against Epstein estate https://www.vi.gov/attorney-general/ (accessed 2026-02-20)
- [6]DOJ Press Release: Maxwell Sentenced to 20 Years, June 2022 https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-sente... (accessed 2026-02-20)
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much compensation have Epstein victims received?
- The Epstein Victims' Compensation Program distributed over $125 million to approximately 150 claimants. In addition, JPMorgan settled for $290 million with victims and $75 million with the USVI; Deutsche Bank settled for $75 million with the USVI. Total documented compensation exceeds $565 million.
- Can Epstein victims still file lawsuits?
- Yes. New legal avenues have opened, including the NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act lookback window (effective March 1, 2026), which allows civil claims for gender-motivated violence regardless of when the conduct occurred. Active civil litigation continues against individuals and institutions connected to Epstein.
- What is the Epstein lookback window?
- The NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act lookback window, effective March 1, 2026, temporarily suspends the statute of limitations for civil claims of gender-motivated violence. This allows Epstein victims whose claims were previously time-barred to file new lawsuits against perpetrators and enablers.
- Has anyone been criminally convicted in the Epstein case?
- Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on five federal counts including sex trafficking of a minor in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years. Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges in 2008 and was federally indicted in 2019 before his death. Prince Andrew was arrested in February 2026 for misconduct in public office. Additional investigations are ongoing.