The recent $139 million settlement between the FBI and victims of Larry Nassar could potentially pave the way for Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers to succeed in a similar lawsuit. Experts believe that the precedent set by the Nassar settlement, where the government agreed to pay $138.7 million to 139 victims who accused the FBI of mishandling sexual assault allegations, could be beneficial for Epstein’s accusers. Obtaining damages from the government for its failure to act is not easy, but the success of the Nassar victims in securing a substantial settlement indicates a possible path for Epstein plaintiffs to follow.
Another case that could prove beneficial for Epstein’s accusers is the $127.5 million settlement paid by the Justice Department in lawsuits related to the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting. While not related to sexual misconduct, this settlement, along with the Nassar case, sets a precedent for holding government agencies accountable for their actions. Former FBI agent Nicole Parker, who investigated the Parkland shooting aftermath, stressed the importance of addressing governmental failures regarding egregious crimes, including sexual abuse cases like Epstein’s.
One key difference between the Nassar and Epstein cases is that Nassar was convicted of his crimes, while Epstein died before going to trial. Despite numerous lawsuits implicating wealthy and influential individuals connected to Epstein, only Ghislaine Maxwell, his former associate, has been criminally convicted. The Jane Does lawsuit filed against the U.S. government alleges that the FBI failed to properly investigate Epstein’s sex-trafficking crimes dating back to the 1990s, despite receiving numerous reports and tips about his activities. Failure to act by the FBI allowed Epstein and others to continue their illegal activities for almost 25 years, according to the lawsuit.
The allegations in the Jane Does lawsuit trace back to as early as 1996 when Epstein accuser Maria Farmer informed New York City police and the FBI about being a victim of Epstein and Maxwell. The FBI reportedly dismissed her claims and failed to conduct a thorough investigation. Subsequent allegations persisted until Epstein’s arrest in 2005 for engaging in illegal sexual activities with a minor. The lawsuit also highlights that even JPMorgan Chase, Epstein’s bank, flagged “suspicious transactions” to the government around the same time, but this information remained undisclosed for nearly two decades. The lawsuit alleges that the FBI’s repeated failures to act enabled Epstein and his collaborators to carry out their criminal activities for an extended period.
Despite the FBI’s settlement with Nassar’s victims, the agency has not taken similar action in responding to Epstein’s accusers. While the FBI has a policy of not commenting on pending litigation, attorneys representing Epstein’s accusers are critical of the agency’s lack of accountability and transparency. The attorneys argue that the FBI continues to evade responsibility for its role in overlooking Epstein’s illegal activities. Epstein’s death in 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial on additional sex-trafficking charges further complicates matters. His family and some experts question the circumstances surrounding his death, arguing that the evidence doesn’t align with the official ruling of suicide. The legal battle between Epstein’s accusers and the FBI continues, with advocates pushing for justice and accountability in light of the allegations of systemic failures within the agency.
