New Mexico sues Epstein’s former attorney and accountant, seeks to block estate payments
The state alleges Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn helped facilitate and conceal Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Their lawyer rejects the allegations.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a federal civil lawsuit on October 21 against Jeffrey Epstein’s former attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn, alleging they helped facilitate and conceal his abuse and trafficking of girls and young women, including at his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. The state wants a court to block payments to the two men from Epstein’s estate while the case proceeds.
The complaint names Indyke and Kahn individually and as co-executors of the estate. It also names the estate and the 1953 Trust, which holds its assets, according to The Guardian. The allegations are claims in a civil lawsuit and have not been decided by a court.
Estate payments at issue
The complaint alleges that Indyke received more than $16 million and Kahn more than $10 million from Epstein and related entities between 2011 and 2019. CNBC reported that Torrez’s office valued the estate at more than $107 million and that, subject to available funds, the suit says Indyke and Kahn are eligible for bequests of $50 million and $25 million respectively.
Torrez said those who allegedly enabled the exploitation should not profit from the estate while survivors continue to live with its consequences. His lawsuit seeks an order stopping payments during the litigation; it does not itself impose that restriction.
Indyke and Kahn reject the allegations
Daniel Weiner, an attorney for Epstein’s estate, told CNBC that both men ‘reject as categorically false’ allegations that they knowingly assisted Epstein’s abuse or trafficking, or knew of his actions while providing legal or accounting services. He said they expected to prevail in the case. The Guardian reported that the men had previously said they knew nothing of Epstein’s crimes during their employment.
The new filing follows other proceedings involving the estate. CNBC reported that the estate agreed in February to pay up to $35 million to settle a separate class action alleging Indyke and Kahn aided Epstein’s trafficking; the proposed settlement included no admission of misconduct by the men.
New Mexico reopened its investigation into Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch in late February and searched the ranch in March, The Guardian reported. Torrez said on October 21 that his office’s criminal investigation was continuing. CNBC reported that no criminal charges had been filed in connection with that probe.
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Sources and context
- Epstein’s attorney and accountant accused of ‘facilitating and concealing’ his crimes in lawsuitThe Guardian
- New Mexico AG lawsuit accuses Epstein's attorney and accountant of facilitating sex traffickingCNBC
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.