Epstein victims call on NYS to make it easier to pursue damages in trafficking cases

ALBANY — Four women who allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein testified Monday in favor of a bill that would expand the ability of victims of sex trafficking to seek financial damages.

Kathryn Robb, national director of the Children’s Justice Campaign at Enough Abuse, said sex trafficking operations depend on a network of people, rather than a single abuser.

"It is not just Jeffrey Epstein, it is a network, including financial backers, businesses and other intermediaries who often escape accountability," she told the state Senate Codes Committee.

The bill would create the crime of benefiting from a sex trafficking venture and aggravated benefiting from a sex trafficking venture.

It would also allow victims to file lawsuits against estates or trusts of those involved in sex trafficking, such as Epstein, as well as people who worked with him.

Victims would also be able to seek punitive damages from those estates, something that is currently not allowed under state law.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) said the idea of punitive damages is meant to stop activity a society wants to deter.

"As we heard today, and as we have not heard from thousands of people that have been victims and survivors, our state should not allow for anyone to get away with sex trafficking and to have their death extinguish the ability for justice to be achieved," he said.

One of the women, Lara Blume McGee, said she was recruited by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell with the promise of a Victoria’s Secret modeling contract. Instead, she was manipulated, sexually abused and had her abuse held over her head, she told the committee.

"The testimony here today should reveal what I and so many others have known, abuse is often enabled by a broader network of people and companies who shield the abuser and silence the victim," she said.

Two other women said Monday was the first time they had spoken publicly about the abuse they suffered, which allegedly happened decades ago when they were teenagers.

The proposed bill would also create a one-year window for victims to file lawsuits for allegations that fall outside the statute of limitations.

Attorneys for the victims noted Epstein’s estate is currently valued at about $120 million but is shrinking, reducing the amount of money victims might be able to recover.

The bill does not have a matching bill in the Assembly, which means it cannot pass the legislature. Myrie said he was working to find a sponsor in the Assembly.