BofA to Face Trial Over Epstein Trafficking Claims

Did banks knowingly enable Epstein's trafficking operation or merely provide routine services to a criminal client?
BofA to Face Trial Over Epstein Trafficking Claims
Above: The Bank of America logo on a building in Washington, D.C., U.S., on July 12, 2024 Image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Major banks, including Bank of America and Bank of New York Mellon, knowingly participated in Epstein's sex-trafficking operations by providing the financial resources and infrastructure to enable his criminal enterprise. Instead of protecting victims, these institutions chose to prioritize profits instead, wilfully ignoring Epstein's suspicious behavior for financial benefit.

Narrative B

Despite Epstein's horrific crimes, banks cannot be held accountable for providing routine services to clients who later turn out to have criminal connections. The plaintiffs have failed to show how the banks knowingly assisted the trafficking itself in any way, and imposing such a liability would expose every service provider to lawsuits whenever a customer commits a crime.

Metaculus Prediction


Public Figures


The Controversies



Go Deeper



© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.20.3

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.20.3