New Mexico attorney general sues Epstein's lawyer and accountant over trafficking
In short
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a civil lawsuit on Wednesday against Jeffrey Epstein's attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. It accuses them of facilitating and concealing Epstein's sex trafficking operation and seeks to stop them from accepting payments from his estate. Their lawyer said they reject the allegations.
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New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Jeffrey Epstein's attorney, Darren Indyke, and accountant, Richard Kahn. The suit accuses them of concealing Epstein's sex trafficking operation at a ranch in the Santa Fe area, where he entertained guests. It seeks to stop them from accepting any payments from Epstein's estate, estimated at more than $100 million. [ 1 , 4 , 10 ]
The Guardian reported that the complaint was filed in the US district court for the district of New Mexico. It names Kahn and Indyke as defendants individually and as co-executors of Epstein's estate, and also names the estate and the 1953 Trust, which holds its assets. The complaint alleges that Epstein's associates received generous salaries, access to elite social circles and lavish gifts in exchange for furthering his criminal project and staying silent about it. [ 6 ]
"None of this could be done by just one man," Torrez said at a news conference, where he stood with two of Epstein's accusers. He said Indyke and Kahn "stand to benefit substantially" from the estate, and that the resources "rightfully belong in the hands of survivors." CNN reported that Torrez said the suit aims to keep Indyke and Kahn from getting money from Epstein's trust, and that CNN had previously reported Indyke was left $50 million and Kahn $25 million in Epstein's will. [ 2 , 4 ]
Daniel Weiner, a lawyer for Indyke and Kahn, said they "emphatically reject" the allegations that they were complicit in or knowingly facilitated Epstein's abuse or trafficking. He said neither the attorney general nor his office asked to speak with them before filing what he called a baseless lawsuit. Weiner also said no woman has accused either man of committing or witnessing sexual abuse. Both men have testified before Congress that they did not know about Epstein's abuse. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 14 ]
The Justice Department did not immediately return an email seeking comment on any federal investigation of the pair, according to one report; another said it declined to comment. Earlier this year, Indyke and Kahn agreed as executors to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by Epstein accusers for up to $35 million, without admitting wrongdoing. CNN reported that Torrez's office began investigating Epstein's Zorro Ranch earlier this year after allegations about it appeared in files released by the Justice Department. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The suit tries to keep money from Epstein's estate, estimated at more than $100 million, away from the two co-executors, and Torrez says it belongs to survivors. The two men deny any knowledge of Epstein's abuse, so the allegations are contested.
Key facts
- New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Epstein's attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 10 , 14 ]
- The suit accuses them of concealing Epstein's sex trafficking operation at a ranch in the Santa Fe area; it says they "facilitated and concealed" his crimes. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 14 ]
- It seeks to stop Indyke and Kahn from accepting any payments from Epstein's estate, estimated at more than $100 million. [ 1 , 4 , 10 ]
- The complaint was filed in the US district court for the district of New Mexico and also names Epstein's estate and the 1953 Trust. [ 6 ]
- A lawyer for Indyke and Kahn said they "emphatically reject" the allegations. [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 14 ]
- Indyke and Kahn are co-executors of Epstein's estate. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The New Mexico attorney general filed a civil lawsuit on Wednesday against Epstein's attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 10 , 14 ]
- The lawsuit seeks to stop Indyke and Kahn from receiving payments from Epstein's estate. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 14 ]
- Indyke and Kahn deny the allegations, and their lawyer says New Mexico officials never asked to interview them before filing. [ 3 , 4 , 14 ]
- Both men have testified before Congress that they did not know about Epstein's abuse. [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 , 14 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the Justice Department is investigating Indyke and Kahn. The Justice Department did not immediately return an email seeking comment according to one report, and declined to comment according to another.
- The day the lawsuit was announced. A summary from The Hill says the attorney general's office announced it on Tuesday, while the other reports say it was filed on Wednesday.
- Whether the allegations against Indyke and Kahn will be upheld. Torrez alleges they facilitated and concealed Epstein's crimes; their lawyer calls the lawsuit baseless and says they are confident they will prevail.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Boston Globe publishes an AP report on the lawsuit. [ 1 ]
- CNN reports that Torrez filed the civil lawsuit against the two advisers. [ 2 ]
- CNBC publishes the statement from Daniel Weiner rejecting the allegations. [ 3 ]
- The Guardian reports the complaint was filed in the US district court for the district of New Mexico. [ 6 ]
- CBS News publishes Torrez's statement announcing the suit. [ 14 ]
- CBS News publishes an interview with Torrez about the lawsuit. [ 15 ]