Epstein estate to form fund for accusers

NEW YORK — The estate of Jeffrey Epstein wants to set up a fund using the late financier’s fortune to compensate women willing to forgo a spate of lawsuits seeking damages for sexual abuse, according to a court document filed on Thursday.

In the papers in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the co-executors of the estate asked the court to approve a voluntary program committed to giving the plaintiffs “compassion, dignity and respect” while sparing them “the rigors and publicity of litigation.” The papers say that 12 suits are pending in New York alone, accusing Epstein of sexual misconduct.

The program would be managed by New York City-based attorney Jordana Feldman with the help of Kenneth Feinberg, a well-known mediator who has overseen compensation funds for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and of clergy sex abuse within New York’s Roman Catholic archdiocese.

Any accuser who accepts a confidential payment — determined by the fund’s administrator with no say from the estate — would have to give up “her right to litigate any claims she may have against any person or entity arising from or related to Mr. Epstein’s conduct,” the papers said. If the plan is approved, the payments could begin early next year.

Lawyers for some of Epstein’s accusers greeted news of the proposed compensation fund with apprehension.

Attorney Roberta Kaplan complained that the plan was launched without the consent of the victims.