Bank of America Corp. has struck a deal to pay $72.5 million to settle claims made by women who alleged they were victims of sexual abuse facilitated by Jeffrey Epstein, a well-known sex trafficker.
The lawsuit, initiated in October by a woman referred to as Jane Doe, argued that Bank of America ignored numerous suspicious transactions tied to Epstein’s illicit activities. It accused the bank of prioritizing profit over justice, effectively benefiting from Epstein’s criminal actions.
Key allegations included the bank’s management of substantial payments made to Epstein by Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management. Black reportedly paid Epstein around $158 million for tax and estate planning through a Bank of America account. Court documents indicated these payments comprised large wire transfers, frequently in the range of $10 million to $20 million, which the bank allegedly neglected to investigate for suspicious activity.
Despite the accusations, Bank of America has insisted that it did not facilitate any illicit activities linked to Epstein. In a court filing from November 2025, the bank contended that the lawsuit was founded on claims that it had provided standard services to clients who had no known ties to Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time.
Following the settlement announcement, a bank spokesperson reiterated their stance, declaring, “While we stand by our prior statements… this resolution allows us to put this matter behind us and provides further closure for the plaintiffs,” according to reports.
It is important to note that this settlement does not imply any admission of guilt or liability on the bank’s part. The attorneys representing the victims, David Boies and Bradley Edwards, characterized the agreement as the most viable option given the lengthy time many Class Members have suffered, emphasizing the urgency for current financial relief.
Similar settlements have been reached by other financial entities in related lawsuits involving Epstein’s accusers. In 2023, for instance, JPMorgan Chase & Co. consented to a payment of $290 million, while Deutsche Bank settled for $75 million, making Bank of America’s payout lower than these previous agreements.
The plaintiffs’ legal team continues to pursue related claims against other financial institutions, including an ongoing appeal concerning a dismissal connected to Bank of New York Mellon.
