New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez on Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit against two of Jeffrey Epstein’s closest advisers, accusing them of having “facilitated and concealed” Epstein’s crimes.
The advisers, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, have faced scrutiny over their ties to the late sex offender since the Justice Department released files related to Epstein late last year.
Indyke, a longtime Epstein employee and attorney, and Kahn, Epstein’s longtime accountant, are the co-executors of Epstein’s estate. Earlier this year, Torrez’s office began investigating the property Epstein owned in the state, known as Zorro Ranch, after allegations about it were included in the files.
The two advisers have denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.
Torrez told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday that Indyke and Kahn are “going to have every opportunity to come here to the state of New Mexico, appear before a jury, and explain to them exactly what they knew, when they knew it, and what involvement and what role they played in the enterprise that facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.”
Torrez said during a news conference on Wednesday that the civil lawsuit aims to prevent Indyke and Kahn from getting any money from Epstein’s trust. CNN has previously reported that as part of Epstein’s will, Indyke was left with $50 million and Kahn was left $25 million.
“Frankly, if anyone is entitled to a recovery of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, it’s the survivors,” Torrez said, adding, “There should be no distribution of Mr. Epstein’s remaining assets to people like Mr. Indyke and Mr. Kahn for participation in what I think is one of the most horrific criminal enterprises in modern American history.”
In a statement, Daniel Weiner, a lawyer for Indyke and Kahn, said they “emphatically reject the New Mexico Attorney General’s allegations that they were complicit in or in any way knowingly facilitated Mr. Epstein’s sexual abuse or trafficking – conduct that by all accounts occurred behind closed doors, in secluded locations, and at times when neither Mr. Indyke nor Mr. Kahn was present.”
Indyke and Kahn said during their congressional depositions that they haven’t received any money for their work overseeing the estate. Attorneys for the two previously told CNN that any fee or any bequests from the trust would come only after the estate’s creditors and claimants have been compensated and after the probate is concluded.
The lawsuit alleges that given Indyke and Kahn’s roles as lawyer and accountant, respectively, they were “enmeshed” in the criminal activity and had “personal involvement in countless transactions that facilitated the trafficking and sexual abuse.” It goes on to accuse the two of receiving several benefits for “remaining silent” about Epstein’s crimes, including their salaries, gifts and becoming beneficiaries of Epstein’s estate.
Weiner questioned the thoroughness of the state attorney general’s investigation, saying no one from that office reached out to speak with Indyke or Kahn, and noting that they “have cooperated with any and all investigations when asked to do so.”
Wednesday’s civil lawsuit comes as Indyke and Kahn are alsoreportedly under federal investigation. They have additionallyfaced multiple lawsuitsfrom survivors for compensation.
In February, Torrez reopened New Mexico’s criminal investigation into Zorro Ranch after the files released by DOJ included a 2019 email received by a local radio host that alleged that “somewhere in the hills outside the Zorro, two foreign girls were buried on orders of Jeffrey and Madam G.”
As part of the probe, New Mexico authorities havesearched the property. Torrez has also filed alawsuit against DOJand US Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing the department of “hiding information about Epstein and his co-conspirators” and “stonewalling” the state’s investigation.
An Epstein survivor who has been to his Zorro Ranch told CNN she’s “grateful” for the state attorney general’s efforts. “Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn know the truth, and so do we,” said the woman, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her privacy. “I’m ready and willing to help this truth come to light.”
