Bank of America’s $72.5 million settlement to compensate survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring is now finalized, following approval from a federal judge in New York last week.

A victim identified as BOA Jane Doe claimed the bank ignored clear warning signs of his abuse while profiting from his business.

Following the announcement of a proposed deal for the class action case on March 27, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff gave it final approval Thursday, Aug. 27, as “fair and reasonable.”

In October, Doe filed the lawsuit against the Charlotte-based banking giant for its relationship with Epstein and his crimes between June 2008 and July 2019.

The bank helped Epstein avoid scrutiny from financial regulators while profiting from his business, according to Doe and her lawyers. This includes wire transfers and cash withdrawal services for the sex-trafficking operation.

Bank of America has denied any wrongdoing. On Monday the bank re-shared its statement after the settlement was announced n March: “While we stand by our prior statements made in the filings in this case, including that Bank of America did not facilitate sex trafficking crimes, this resolution allows us to put this matter behind us and provides further closure for the plaintiffs.”

The plaintiffs’ lawyers, Boies Schiller Flexner, and Edwards Henderson, will receive attorneys’ fees worth 30% of the settlement amount.

The settlement will bring life-changing money to survivors of Epstein’s heinous crimes, Sigrid McCawley, managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, said in a statement Monday.

More about Bank of America settlement with Epstein victims

The settlement includes all women who were sexually abused and trafficked by Epstein, or by any person connected to or associated with Epstein or his sex-trafficking venture, according to the new court filing.

This class includes three groups: minors under 18 who received value for sexual contact, adults forced, coerced or defrauded into sexual contact in exchange for value, and individuals of any age subjected to non-consensual sexual contact by Epstein or those connected to his trafficking network.

Epstein and his associates ran a multistate and international operation that recruited and pressured victims, and arranged sexual abuse at his homes in New York, Florida and on his private island, federal prosecutors have said.

Doe said she was among the victims after meeting Epstein in Russia. She was abused at least 100 times, according to the lawsuit.

Epstein was found dead in a New York jail cell in 2019. Epstein’s death was ruled a suicide.

In an Aug. 10 filing, Bank of America’s attorneys described how an estimated 60 class members covered in the settlement will be notified about it. The women’s claims will be evaluated by a Fund Administrator, considering factors such as the severity and circumstances of abuse, cooperation with investigations and other details.

Doe’s attorney said at least 60 survivors have been identified, but there could be as many as 75 women, according to court records.

“While the justice system will never be able to erase the deep scars and damage Epstein caused these brave women, the judicial approval of the settlement is an important step toward justice, and it had to be done,” McCawley said.

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