(PatriotsUnited.org) – Accusers of former financier Jeffrey Epstein have filed a lawsuit against the FBI over negligence claims. Twelve alleged victims of the billionaire, who died in prison in 2019 filed a lawsuit against the US domestic intelligence agency, in which they claim it failed to protect them from his trafficking and related abuse.
The complaint has been filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe so the plaintiff’s identities may remain private. The lawsuit claims that the FBI did not act, despite being in possession of damning evidence regarding Epstein’s illicit actions since as early as 1996. The lawsuit was filed at a federal court in the Southern District of New York on Wednesday 14 February.
Merson Law counsel Jennifer Plotkin, whose firm is representing the plaintiffs, has stated that the FBI “turned its back” on the survivors of Epstein’s wide-ranging abuse and that this lawsuit seeks to hold them liable for this negligence. The plaintiffs complain that the FBI failed to follow up on tips and did not employ established protocols, which they contend amounts to negligence, and meant that the abuse carried on. The crimes took place over several decades and locations, including Epstein’s luxurious properties in Manhattan, Palm Beach, Florida, and his infamous private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Epstein registered as an offender and paid out settlements to victims under a 2008 plea agreement, which also resulted in him serving 13 months in jail. However, this fresh complaint alleged that victims were not properly informed about the deal, kickstarting a probe into the agreement. The lawsuit also says that, although FBI Director Christopher Wray had assured probes into Epstein and other major trafficking networks would take place, they had failed to adequately address the issue.
Responding to a question from CBS News, the FBI refused to comment on the ongoing matter, including the lawsuit. The news of this case comes on the back of similar legal action pursued by other high-profile victims, including sportswomen who cited abuse by the erstwhile USA Gymnastics coach Larry Nassar.
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