Prosecutors in New Mexico have filed a civil lawsuit against two longtime aides to Jeffrey Epstein. The case accuses them of helping hide his sex trafficking crimes and seeking money from his estate.
The lawsuit targets Darren Indyke, Epstein’s former lawyer, and Richard Kahn, his former accountant. Both men worked for Epstein for decades. They now serve as the sole executors of his estate and control his remaining money and property.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez says the men played a key role in hiding abuse at Zorro Ranch. The remote property lies near Santa Fe. Torrez also claims they may benefit from Epstein’s wealth while survivors continue to seek justice.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday. It cites the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the New Mexico Racketeering Act. The civil case is separate from a criminal probe into Epstein’s activities in the state. Officials restarted that probe in February.
Indyke and Kahn deny the claims. Their lawyer, Daniel Weiner, told the BBC that both men reject the allegations and expect to win the case.
Weiner said the men did not knowingly help Epstein abuse or traffic women. He also said they had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes while doing their legal and accounting work.
He added that prosecutors did not ask to speak with either man before filing the lawsuit. Weiner said both men had cooperated with investigations whenever officials asked for their help.
Attorney General Calls for Accountability
Torrez said Epstein could not have carried out his crimes without help from people around him. He argued that lawyers, accountants and other associates should face scrutiny over their possible roles.
Epstein died in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal child sex trafficking charges. His death ended the criminal case against him, but it did not end questions about his associates or his fortune.
“Jeffrey Epstein did not operate alone,” Torrez said. He added that efforts to hold people accountable should continue after Epstein’s death.
The attorney general also said money linked to the estate should go to survivors. He argued that victims should not have to keep fighting for compensation while people accused of helping Epstein may receive part of his wealth.
Epstein’s estate was worth about $635 million when he died. That money remains at the center of legal claims from people who say they suffered abuse.
Estate Trust Raises New Questions
Epstein named Indyke and Kahn as co-executors in August 2019. The move came just two days before his death. He had changed his will and placed his wealth in a trust named after his birth year. The two men were given control of the trust.
As estate managers, they agreed to fund compensation packages for survivors. However, the terms limited further legal action against Indyke and Kahn personally by people who accepted payments.
Some claims against the estate remain unresolved. The new lawsuit raises questions about the men’s role in managing the money and whether they should receive any of the remaining assets.
As beneficiaries of the trust, Indyke and Kahn could each receive tens of millions of dollars once outstanding claims are settled. Torrez argues that such payments would be wrong if the men helped Epstein’s abuse continue or hid his crimes.
The men have previously told Congress that they did not know about Epstein’s criminal conduct. They deny knowing about or helping his sexual abuse and trafficking activities.
Separate Criminal Investigation Continues
The civil case adds to wider efforts to examine Epstein’s activities and the people who may have helped him. New Mexico officials restarted their criminal probe in February. That investigation is separate from the latest lawsuit.
The civil filing does not prove that Indyke or Kahn broke the law. The claims must be tested in court, and both men maintain that they did nothing wrong.
Torrez says survivors should not be left to bear the cost of Epstein’s crimes while people accused of enabling the abuse may benefit from his fortune.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the estate managers responsible for their alleged actions and the handling of Epstein’s remaining wealth. Its outcome could affect who receives money from the estate and how survivors pursue compensation.
The case may also bring fresh attention to the people who worked closely with Epstein. The court will now have to consider the claims, the evidence and the responses from both men as the legal process moves forward.
