More than 100 women expected to file claims as Epstein victim compensation fund opens

More than 100 women are expected to file claims against the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein following the opening of a fund seeking to compensate victims of sexual abuse in connection to the late billionaire.

Administrated independently from Epstein’s estate, the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Fund will pay victims from his estate, which is estimated at $630 million, according to NBC.

As of late Thursday, more than 100 victims had been issued claims packets.

According to a press release, the fund was developed by the Epstein estate with consultation from nationally credited independent claims administration experts, with attorney Jordana Feldman serving as its administrator.

Feldman previously served as deputy special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

Victims’ attorneys were also consulted as part of the program’s development, as well as the attorney general of the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein maintained a home.

Claims will be processed on a rolling basis for the fund, which will accept any new or previously unreported allegation registrations from now until Feb. 8, 2021. The filing period will run through March 25, the statement added.

According to Feldman, compensation for eligible claims could range from “thousands to millions of dollars” for each victim.

Representatives for Epstein’s estate expect all claims to be paid, although it is unclear how long they will take to process.

Epstein, 66, was arrested in July last year on charges of abusing and trafficking vast numbers of young girls in the early 2000s. He pleaded not guilty in court, and shortly after died by suicide in the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Feldman said the fund would allow victims to pursue litigation against people who were not employees of Epstein and to whom the victims were allegedly trafficked.

It is unclear whether Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, will be classified as an employee under the plan. However, Feldman said, “It’s my understanding the estate intends to include [Maxwell] as a former employee.”

Maxwell’s attorneys have said they acknowledge recent court filings that she could be questioned in part of the Southern District of New York’s criminal investigation into Epstein’s “co-conspirators.”

Despite multiple allegations that Maxwell abetted Epstein in his efforts, she has not been charged with a crime. She previously denied in a court deposition having any knowledge about or role in Epstein’s abusive actions.