12 women sue FBI over alleged failure to protect them from Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse

Twelve alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, accusing the FBI of prolonged negligence that allowed Epstein’s sex trafficking operation to persist for over two decades. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York against the United States, alleges that the FBI’s repeated failures to investigate reports and evidence of Epstein’s sexual abuse and trafficking enabled his exploitation of numerous children and young women. The plaintiffs, whose identities remain undisclosed, seek unspecified damages, highlighting the FBI’s negligence and demanding the unredacted release of FBI documents concerning Epstein, which they argue are mostly sealed. Jennifer Plotkin and Nathan Werksman, representing the Jane Does, stressed the importance of the lawsuit in uncovering the FBI’s negligence and its impact on their clients. Epstein, a convicted pedophile, died in jail before facing federal sex-trafficking charges. The lawsuit alleges that the FBI disregarded reports of Epstein’s abuse dating back to 1996 and failed to act on multiple complaints and tips regarding his activities. The lawsuit further claims that the FBI ignored credible reports of child prostitution and sex trafficking, even when provided with evidence such as photographs, videos, and interviews. Additionally, the FBI allegedly overlooked warning signs, such as Epstein’s financial transactions flagged by JP Morgan Chase, which handled over $1.1 million in payments to women or girls linked to Epstein. Despite these red flags, the FBI purportedly delayed investigating Epstein until 2006, allowing his sex-trafficking ring to operate unchecked for years. The lawsuit contends that even after Epstein’s arrest in 2008, the FBI was complicit in permitting ongoing trafficking, rape, and sexual abuse. It accuses the FBI of closing its investigation in 2008, despite continued reports of abuse and trafficking. The lawsuit claims that the FBI was aware of Epstein’s criminal activities but failed to intervene effectively, ultimately contributing to the continued victimization of minors until Epstein’s arrest in 2019. The plaintiffs argue that the FBI’s negligence allowed Epstein’s abuse to persist unchecked, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims.