Epstein's Victims' Compensation Program Accepts First Claims
The Jeffrey Epstein Victims' Compensation Program, established by Epstein's estate and administered by independent administrator Jordana Feldman of Guidepost Solutions, opens to receive claims from survivors. The program ultimately processes approximately 150-200 claims, approves the vast majority, and distributes approximately $121 million to survivors. The program is modeled partly on Feldman's prior work on large victim compensation programs including 9/11-related funds.
People Involved
The Program Launch
In May-June 2020, the Jeffrey Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (JVECP) opened to receive claims:
- Administrator: Jordana Feldman, Guidepost Solutions
- Funded by Epstein’s estate
- Independent of the USVI and bank civil lawsuits
How Claims Were Submitted
Claimants submitted:
- Detailed declarations describing the abuse and circumstances
- Any corroborating information available to them
- Documentation of harm and impact
The Review Process
Feldman and her team reviewed claims against:
- FBI and police records from 2005-2006
- Flight logs and estate records
- Prior depositions and legal filings
The Numbers
- Approximately 150-200 claimants participated
- Approximately 90%+ of claims were found credible
- Total distributed: approximately $121 million
- Average compensation: approximately $600,000-700,000 per claimant
Comparison to Civil Litigation
Many claimants chose the compensation program over pursuing individual civil suits:
- Faster resolution
- Less retraumatizing than adversarial litigation
- Equal access regardless of legal resources
Criticism
Some advocates noted:
- Banks and other institutional facilitators were not required to contribute
- The program was funded only by Epstein’s own estate
- Settlement amounts didn’t fully account for lifetime impacts
Significance
The $121 million total distribution represented the primary financial accountability mechanism for Epstein’s direct victims — distinct from the institutional settlements with USVI.