New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime attorney and accountant of helping conceal his sex trafficking operation, seeking to prevent them from receiving millions of dollars from his estate.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a federal civil lawsuit Wednesday, Oct. 21, against Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn, alleging they facilitated and concealed the late financier’s sex trafficking activities, including abuse connected to his Zorro Ranch property near Santa Fe.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent the two men, who serve as co-executors of Epstein’s estate, from receiving further payments while the case proceeds. It also requests financial compensation for survivors and the recovery of money allegedly obtained through the trafficking operation.
According to the Associated Press, the estate contains assets valued at more than $100 million, raising concerns among state investigators that Indyke and Kahn could receive substantial payments despite their alleged involvement in Epstein’s activities. <Cite refs={[“turn927769news23″,”turn927769news2”]}/>
The complaint alleges that the men helped maintain the financial and corporate arrangements supporting Epstein’s operations, including managing accounts, authorizing transactions and handling payments associated with his abuse of women and girls.
Torrez argues that Epstein relied on attorneys, accountants and other associates to maintain his properties, move money and conceal the activities that enabled his trafficking network.
“It is unconscionable in my mind that people who actively participated in the efforts of that trafficking enterprise should in any way benefit from what is left of his estate,” Torrez said during a Wednesday news conference.
“None of this could be done by just one man. This was something that was facilitated, that was made possible, by handlers, by lawyers, by accountants, by others who have yet to face real consequence.”
Indyke and Kahn have denied knowing about Epstein’s sexual abuse or participating in his crimes. Both previously testified before Congress that they were unaware of the trafficking operation.
Their attorney, Daniel Weiner, disputed the allegations, maintaining that the men had no knowledge of the abuse and rejecting suggestions that they knowingly assisted Epstein.
The lawsuit does not establish that either defendant committed the alleged misconduct. Those claims remain subject to federal court proceedings.
State investigators contend that Indyke and Kahn maintained extensive control over Epstein’s financial affairs and business interests, providing the resources and administrative support that allowed his operations to continue.
According to the complaint, Indyke received approximately $16 million from Epstein between 2011 and 2019, while Kahn received about $10 million during the same period. Prosecutors allege the payments and other benefits reflected their significant roles in managing his affairs. <Cite ref=”turn927769news4″/>
The lawsuit seeks findings that the defendants participated in racketeering and trafficking activity, an order requiring them to relinquish interests connected to Epstein’s estate, and damages intended to compensate survivors.
Torrez announced the action alongside two women who survived Epstein’s abuse, Anouska De Georgiou and Julia Molchanova, who supported the effort to hold additional individuals accountable.
De Georgiou said the trafficking operation could not have continued without assistance from people surrounding Epstein.
“It could not have continued as long as it did without people facilitating it, looking the other way or choosing to do nothing to stop it,” she said.
“Accountability cannot end with Epstein and Maxwell. It must extend to those who knowingly made their abuse possible, especially those who stand to profit from it.”
Molchanova said Epstein’s death did not eliminate the lasting effects of the abuse.
“What happened to me changed my life and even today, I’m still living these consequences,” she said. “Epstein’s death did not make those consequences disappear.” <Cite ref=”turn927769news0″/>
The litigation follows New Mexico’s decision earlier this year to reopen its criminal investigation into activities at Zorro Ranch, where Epstein hosted visitors and where survivors have alleged sexual exploitation occurred.
State investigators searched the property in March after Torrez announced the renewed investigation in February.
Epstein owned the sprawling ranch for years before his death in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The property was subsequently sold in 2023.
His longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of federal sex trafficking offenses and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Although Epstein faced criminal proceedings in New York and Florida, he was never prosecuted for alleged offenses committed at his New Mexico property.
The renewed state investigation has examined whether victims were abused at the ranch and whether individuals who assisted Epstein could face additional legal consequences.
New Mexico lawmakers also established a legislative commission to examine Epstein’s activities in the state, including the handling of earlier allegations and the circumstances surrounding investigations at the ranch.
Torrez has separately sought access to unredacted federal investigative records concerning Epstein, arguing that additional documents could provide evidence relevant to the state’s investigation.
The latest lawsuit represents the first law enforcement action directly targeting Indyke and Kahn over their alleged roles in Epstein’s trafficking enterprise, although both have previously faced civil litigation connected to his activities.
The men previously resolved a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of Epstein survivors without admitting wrongdoing.
Torrez maintains that any proceeds connected to illegal conduct should be directed toward survivors rather than individuals alleged to have supported the operation.
The attorney general is asking the federal court to prohibit payments from Epstein’s estate to the two defendants while their alleged involvement is examined.
The case will determine whether New Mexico can establish that Indyke and Kahn knowingly participated in, facilitated or concealed Epstein’s trafficking activities and whether they can be held financially liable for damages arising from those allegations.
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