$72.5M Bank of America Epstein Sex Trafficking Settlement, Are You Eligible to Participate?

If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein or his associates between June 30, 2008, and July 6, 2019, a $72.5 million settlement fund may be available to you. A federal judge gave the deal preliminary approval on April 2, 2026. The deadline to submit your confidential questionnaire is June 12, 2026.

Bank of America agreed to pay $72.5 million to resolve a civil class action lawsuit filed by survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network. The lawsuit alleged the bank ignored clear warning signs in Epstein’s financial accounts and failed to report suspicious transactions, allowing his abuse to continue for over a decade. A federal judge granted preliminary approval on April 2, 2026, and set a final approval hearing for August 27, 2026. Women who were abused between June 30, 2008, and July 6, 2019, may be eligible to participate.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$72,500,000
Participation Deadline	June 12, 2026
Who Qualifies	Women sexually abused by Epstein or his associates between June 30, 2008 – July 6, 2019
Payout Per Person	TBD — pro-rata based on total valid claims
Proof Required	Confidential questionnaire and release form
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved
Final Approval Hearing	August 27, 2026
Administrator	TBD — contact plaintiffs’ counsel (Boies Schiller Flexner LLP)
Official Case	Doe v. Bank of America, Case No. 25-cv-08520, S.D.N.Y.

Current Status and What Happens Next

• U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff granted the deal preliminary approval on April 2, 2026, and set a final approval hearing for August 27, 2026. He also ordered lawyers to submit a broader list of publications to notify Epstein victims that the settlement fund exists, saying he wanted to ensure “nobody is left out.”
• In his written order, Rakoff directed that those seeking to take part in the class action must submit their confidential questionnaire and release electronically or by mail with a postmark date of June 12, 2026 — unless the court orders otherwise.
• Victims will have the opportunity to object to the settlement terms at the final hearing scheduled for August 27, 2026.

What Is the Bank of America Epstein Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit claims that Bank of America knowingly and intentionally participated in, assisted, supported, and facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking venture by providing him and his associates with banking and investment services while ignoring red flags and failing its compliance and regulatory responsibilities.

Banks are required by federal law to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) when they detect transactions that may indicate criminal conduct — including money laundering or trafficking. The lawsuit alleged that Bank of America failed to file these required reports until after Epstein’s death in 2019. The plaintiffs argued that this failure allowed Epstein’s abuse network to grow and operate without intervention for more than a decade.

The lawsuit also alleged that the bank provided accounts used by Epstein’s associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell and Leon Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management. Plaintiffs alleged that Black transferred $170 million to Epstein from a Bank of America account, described as payment for tax and estate planning advice, which they contend was used to fund Epstein’s trafficking operation — transactions the bank allegedly should have flagged and reported to federal authorities.

The proposed class action, filed in October by a woman using the pseudonym Jane Doe, accused the bank of ignoring suspicious financial transactions related to Epstein despite a “plethora” of information about his crimes because it valued profit over protecting victims. Judge Rakoff ruled in January 2026 that Bank of America must face the claim that it knowingly benefited from Epstein’s sex trafficking and obstructed enforcement of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Bank of America, in a statement, said it stands by its prior filings in the case, including its position that it did not facilitate sex trafficking crimes, but that this resolution allows it to put the matter behind it and provides further closure for the plaintiffs. The settlement does not include any admission of liability by the bank.

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Who Is Eligible to Participate?

This settlement is not for all people harmed by Epstein. It specifically covers women who were sexually abused during the period when Bank of America held Epstein’s accounts.

You may qualify if:

• You were sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein or his associates at any point between June 30, 2008 — the date of Epstein’s Florida guilty plea — and July 6, 2019 — the date of his federal arrest in New York
• You have not already released your claims against Bank of America through a prior settlement or agreement
• You are an individual survivor, not a company or institution
• You are willing to submit a confidential questionnaire — your identity will be protected throughout the process

Attorney David Boies, who represents the woman who initiated the class action, said lawyers for the survivors believed between 60 and 75 women would make claims that would make them eligible for payouts from the settlement fund, adding there may be more who have not yet been identified.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, you should contact plaintiffs’ counsel directly — the confidential questionnaire process is specifically designed to allow survivors to come forward safely and privately.

How Much Can Survivors Receive?

Individual payout amounts are not yet confirmed. The total fund is $72,500,000, but the net amount available to survivors will be reduced by court-approved attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, and settlement administration costs.

Judge Rakoff noted that while it is perhaps extremely likely that the victims of Epstein’s acts can never be fully compensated, the victims are entitled to receive just compensation from any person or entity that knowingly, recklessly, or otherwise unlawfully facilitated his sex trafficking.

Each eligible survivor’s share will be calculated on a pro-rata basis — meaning your individual payout depends on the total number of valid claims filed and the nature and duration of your documented abuse. The settlement administrator will determine specific payments after the final approval hearing in August 2026.

For context, this is the fourth major banking settlement tied to Epstein’s network. In 2023, JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay Epstein victims $290 million and separately agreed to pay the U.S. Virgin Islands $75 million. Deutsche Bank agreed to pay victims $75 million the same year. Bank of America’s $72.5 million brings total recoveries from major financial institutions to over $500 million.

Survivors who previously received payments from the JPMorgan or Deutsche Bank settlements may still be eligible here, depending on the specific releases they signed. Consult with an attorney to understand how a prior settlement may affect your eligibility.

For survivors researching other institutional accountability cases, the Bank of America Epstein sex trafficking settlement background article on AllAboutLawyer.com covers the full timeline of events leading to this agreement.

How to Participate in the Settlement

Step 1 — Contact plaintiffs’ counsel at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP (David Boies) or Bradley Edwards’ firm, both of whom represent survivors in this case. You can also contact the court’s official case administrators through the SDNY court docket for Doe v. Bank of America, Case No. 25-cv-08520.

Step 2 — Request or access the confidential questionnaire. The court is actively working to notify potential survivors through a wide range of publications and outreach efforts.

Step 3 — Complete the questionnaire honestly and fully. Your identity will be protected. You may use a pseudonym, as the lead plaintiff in this case did.

Step 4 — Sign and submit the release form along with your questionnaire, either electronically or by mail.

Step 5 — Ensure your submission is received electronically or postmarked no later than June 12, 2026.

Step 6 — Save your confirmation. The court will notify all valid claimants of the final approval decision after the August 27, 2026 hearing.

If you need legal assistance, organizations that support trafficking survivors — including the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) — can help connect you with attorneys who handle these cases.

Estimated time to complete: 20–30 minutes

Important Deadlines and Dates

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	October 2025
Bank of America Survives Motion to Dismiss	January 2026
Settlement Agreement Announced	March 16–27, 2026
Preliminary Approval Granted	April 2, 2026
Survivor Questionnaire / Participation Deadline	June 12, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	August 27, 2026
Expected Payment Date	TBD — after final approval and appeals resolved

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to participate in this settlement?

 You do not need to hire your own attorney to submit a confidential questionnaire and participate in this settlement. Plaintiffs’ counsel — Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and co-counsel — already represent the class. However, if you have complex circumstances, such as a prior settlement with another bank, consulting a trafficking survivor attorney before submitting can protect your rights.

Is this Bank of America settlement legitimate?

 Yes. A U.S. federal judge granted preliminary approval to the $72.5 million settlement on April 2, 2026, with a final approval hearing scheduled for August 27, 2026. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York before Judge Jed S. Rakoff, one of the most respected federal jurists in the country.

When will survivors receive their payment?

 Payments will not go out until after the court grants final approval at the August 27, 2026 hearing and any appeal period resolves. Settlements of this type typically take several months to process after final approval. Your individual payment date is TBD.

What if I missed the June 12, 2026 deadline? 

The June 12, 2026 deadline is set by court order. Missing it likely means forfeiting your right to receive a payment from this settlement fund. If you believe you qualify, contact plaintiffs’ counsel as soon as possible — the court has some discretion to accept late claims in extraordinary circumstances, but this is not guaranteed.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Possibly. Payments from civil settlements involving physical injury or sexual abuse may be excluded from taxable income under federal law, but tax treatment depends on how the payment is categorized and your individual circumstances. Consult a tax professional once payment details are confirmed. The settlement administrator will provide guidance at that time.

Did Bank of America admit it did anything wrong?

 No. Bank of America made no admission of liability or wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The bank stated it stands by its prior court filings asserting it did not facilitate sex trafficking crimes, but chose to settle to bring closure to the plaintiffs.

What law did this lawsuit rely on? 

The lawsuit relied on the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which allows survivors to sue third parties — including financial institutions — that knowingly benefited from or facilitated sex trafficking. Judge Rakoff ruled in January 2026 that Bank of America must face the claim that it knowingly benefited from Epstein’s sex trafficking and obstructed enforcement of the TVPA. The TVPA gives survivors a direct path to civil compensation from those who enabled their abuse.

Have other banks settled similar Epstein lawsuits?

 Yes. JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay Epstein victims $290 million in 2023 and separately agreed to pay the U.S. Virgin Islands $75 million. Deutsche Bank agreed to pay victims $75 million the same year. The same legal team that secured those settlements brought this case against Bank of America.

Sources and References

• Associated Press / Press Democrat — Preliminary Approval Report: April 3, 2026
• Court Docket: Doe v. Bank of America, Case No. 25-cv-08520, U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y. (Judge Jed S. Rakoff)

If you are an Epstein survivor and need immediate support, the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at rainn.org. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available at 1-888-373-7888.

Last Updated: April 5, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.