Survivors of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein are urging New York Democrats to take immediate action on a bill that would permit them to sue his estate for damages, arguing that current laws prevent them from achieving full justice.
Emotional Testimony in Albany
At a poignant hearing in Albany, several women who allege they were abused by Epstein testified before lawmakers, calling for the closure of what they described as a significant legal loophole. Under existing New York law, victims are largely prohibited from seeking punitive damages from the estate of a deceased person, effectively shielding Epstein's substantial fortune from further civil liability.
Four survivors shared harrowing accounts of abuse and its enduring impact, urging legislators to act before the current session concludes. Some expressed that the legal system continues to fail them, despite years of public revelations about Epstein's trafficking network.
“It should not be a political issue. This is a human rights issue,” said Lara Blume McGee, an Arkansas woman who has stated she was sexually abused by Epstein while pursuing a modeling career in New York City. She spoke to reporters after the hearing.
Glendys Espinal, a Bronx woman who spoke publicly for the first time about Epstein's alleged abuse, said his estate has argued it owes her nothing due to the statute of limitations. “The Epstein estate has refused to help me because they are arguing that the statute of limitations means that what happened to me is worth zero,” Espinal testified, choking back tears and pausing frequently. She recounted being a sophomore in high school when she was first introduced to Epstein, who she said “tricked” her into “massages” before sexually assaulting her.
The emotional testimony, which also included statements from two other women—Carine de Deus and Alexandra Golematis—came as state Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) seeks support for his bill to update New York's sex trafficking statutes. Current law prohibits individuals from suing the estate of a deceased person for punitive damages.
Jordan Merson, an attorney representing several victims, noted that many politicians have “talked the talk” on demanding justice for Epstein's survivors but now need to take concrete action. “New York really has a chance to be a leader on this issue,” he said.
