New York, NY – Two women who allege they were victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring have filed a lawsuit against two of his former close associates, claiming they played key roles in facilitating the disgraced financier’s abuse.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, names Darren Indyke, Epstein’s longtime lawyer, and Richard Kahn, his accountant, as defendants. The plaintiffs, identified as Danielle Bensky and Jane Doe No. 3, allege that Indyke and Kahn were “indispensable captains” in Epstein’s operation, providing him with the financial and legal infrastructure he needed to operate his alleged sex trafficking venture for years.
Epstein’s Abuse Enabled by Financial and Legal Support System, Lawsuit Alleges
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of how Epstein allegedly used his wealth and connections to silence victims and evade accountability. Bensky and Jane Doe No. 3 claim that Indyke and Kahn were well aware of Epstein’s abuse but turned a blind eye in exchange for substantial financial gain.
“The defendants were well aware of the Epstein Enterprises’ purposes, effects, and operations,” the lawsuit states. “Defendants were on Epstein’s payroll for years and they knowingly and intentionally personally benefited and received things of value from Epstein and his sex trafficking operation.”
Plaintiffs Detail Harrowing Accounts of Abuse
Bensky, an aspiring ballerina living in New York, says she first met Epstein in 2004 at the age of 16. She claims that a woman she knew approached her about giving Epstein a massage for $300. Bensky alleges that during the massage, Epstein instructed her to remove her clothes and then sexually assaulted her.
According to the lawsuit, Bensky was repeatedly called back to Epstein’s mansion for further abuse. She claims that Epstein used his wealth and influence to coerce her into silence, even threatening to withhold medical treatment from her cancer-stricken mother if she spoke out.
Jane Doe No. 3, who lived in Europe at the time, claims she was lured to New York by Epstein under false pretenses. The lawsuit alleges that Epstein promised to help improve her life but instead subjected her to repeated sexual assault and rape. Like Bensky, Jane Doe No. 3 alleges that she was paid hush money to keep quiet about the abuse.
Indyke and Kahn Accused of Facilitating Abuse, Covering Up Crimes
The lawsuit alleges that Indyke and Kahn were instrumental in helping Epstein establish a complex web of shell companies that he used to move money and conceal his illegal activities. They are also accused of setting up a sham same-sex marriage scheme to help Epstein’s associates obtain immigration status.
Perhaps most disturbingly, the lawsuit claims that Indyke and Kahn were aware of and helped cover up Epstein’s alleged surveillance operation. According to the suit, Epstein had a dedicated surveillance room in his New York mansion where he secretly recorded interactions with his victims. The existence of these tapes has been the subject of much speculation, but they have never been publicly released.
Lawsuit Seeks to Hold Epstein’s Enablers Accountable
The lawsuit filed by Bensky and Jane Doe No. 3 is the latest in a string of legal actions against Epstein’s estate and associates. In recent months, both JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank have reached multimillion-dollar settlements with Epstein’s victims over their roles in facilitating his financial activities.
The lawsuit against Indyke and Kahn seeks unspecified damages for a range of claims, including aiding and abetting battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and participation in a sex trafficking venture in violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The plaintiffs are also seeking class-action status for their lawsuit, which could pave the way for other victims to come forward and seek justice.
Attorneys for Indyke and Kahn Deny Allegations
Daniel Lein, an attorney representing Indyke and Kahn, has issued a statement denying the allegations against his clients.
“Neither Mr. Indyke nor Mr. Kahn has ever been found in any form to have committed any misconduct and they emphatically reject the allegations of wrongdoing contained in the complaint,” Lein said.
Lawsuit Sheds New Light on Epstein’s Network of Complicity
The lawsuit against Indyke and Kahn underscores the critical role that enablers play in perpetuating abuse. While Epstein himself died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, the legal fallout from his crimes continues to reverberate.
The lawsuit against Indyke and Kahn raises important questions about the extent to which Epstein’s inner circle was aware of and complicit in his crimes. It also highlights the challenges faced by victims of sexual abuse who are often pressured to remain silent.
The outcome of this lawsuit remains to be seen. However, it has already shed new light on the dark underbelly of Epstein’s world and the alleged complicity of those who surrounded him. It serves as a stark reminder that justice for victims of sexual abuse often requires holding not just the perpetrators but also their enablers accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key allegations against Indyke and Kahn?
Indyke and Kahn are accused of knowingly aiding and abetting Epstein’s sex trafficking operation by providing financial and legal services. The lawsuit alleges that they were aware of his abuse but turned a blind eye in exchange for financial gain.
2. What is the significance of the alleged surveillance tapes?
The lawsuit claims that Epstein secretly recorded interactions with his victims in his New York mansion. If these tapes exist and are released, they could provide further evidence of his crimes and potentially implicate other powerful individuals.
3. What are the potential outcomes of the lawsuit?
The lawsuit could result in a financial settlement for the plaintiffs or go to trial. If successful, it could also pave the way for other Epstein victims to come forward.
4. How does this lawsuit contribute to the ongoing Epstein saga?
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing pursuit of justice for Epstein’s victims and the effort to hold all those complicit in his crimes accountable, even after his death.
