What is the Epstein Victim Compensation Fund?

After Jeffrey Epstein died in August 2019, the trustees of his estate established the Epstein Victim Compensation Program (EVCP) as an alternative to protracted civil litigation. The fund was intended to provide compensation to Epstein’s sexual abuse victims without requiring them to sue the estate individually.

Administration: The fund was administered by Jordana Feldman, an experienced claims administrator, under oversight appointed by the estate. Former federal judge Kathleen Blakely served as special master, providing independent oversight.

Eligibility: Claimants had to demonstrate that they were sexually abused by Epstein. Claims were evaluated based on factors including the severity, duration, and impact of the abuse, as well as documentation and corroborating evidence.

Payouts: By the end of 2021, the fund had paid out over $121 million to more than 130 victims. Individual awards ranged widely — from tens of thousands of dollars to several million — depending on the severity of abuse. Several attorneys representing victims criticized the fund as insufficiently transparent.

Criticism: Some advocates argued that participation in the fund required victims to waive further claims against third parties like JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank. Others criticized the non-disclosure requirements as silencing survivors. Many victims chose instead to pursue litigation against financial institutions independently.

Estate Value: Epstein’s estate was valued at approximately $577 million at the time of his death. The fund operated alongside ongoing court battles and did not cover civil claims against third parties who allegedly enabled Epstein’s crimes.