By Trendsetter Tribune 
NEW YORK — In what is being described as a move to “finally and forever” close the legal books on Jeffrey Epstein’s financial legacy, his estate and its co-executors agreed to a $35 million settlement on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The deal aims to resolve the last major outstanding class-action claims brought by survivors of the disgraced financier.
The proposed settlement was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and requires the approval of a federal judge before funds can be distributed.
The “Tiers” of the Settlement
The final payout amount is structured based on the number of eligible claimants who join the class, ensuring the estate’s remaining assets are distributed effectively:
- $35 Million: If 40 or more victims are deemed eligible for the class.
- $25 Million: If the number of eligible victims is fewer than 40.
- Lead Counsel: The victims are represented by the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, led by attorney Sigrid McCawley, who has been a central figure in litigation against the “Epstein machine” for over a decade.
The Defendants: “Advisers” vs. “Enablers”
The settlement specifically resolves a 2024 lawsuit filed against Darren Indyke (Epstein’s longtime personal lawyer) and Richard Kahn (his former accountant), who serve as co-executors of the estate.
| Allegation | Defendant Response |
| Aiding and Abetting: Plaintiffs alleged the pair helped create the web of shell companies used to pay victims and recruiters. | Denial of Liability: Both men “categorically deny” wrongdoing, stating they performed routine professional services. |
| Facilitating Battery: Claims they were aware of and enabled the logistics of the trafficking ring. | No Admission of Fault: The settlement includes no admission of misconduct; the co-executors stated they settled to “achieve finality.” |
Closing the Financial Loop
This settlement is intended to be the “final chapter” for the estate, which has been liquidated over the last several years to pay out hundreds of millions in compensation and penalties.
- Victims’ Compensation Program (VCP): Previously paid out $121 million to 136 claimants before closing in 2021.
- Private Settlements: The estate has paid out an additional $49 million in separate, non-class-action settlements.
- U.S. Virgin Islands: The estate previously paid $105 million to the USVI government to resolve trafficking and tax-related claims.
- Banking Settlements: While separate from the estate’s money, the same legal teams secured $290 million from JPMorgan Chase and $75 million from Deutsche Bank for their roles in handling Epstein’s accounts.
The Timing: A Month of “Unredaction”
The settlement arrives at a time of peak public interest, following the January and February 2026 release of millions of previously sealed documents by the Department of Justice. These files, which include photos, flight logs, and surveillance data, have put fresh pressure on the estate to resolve all lingering civil liabilities.