New Mexico sues Epstein’s estate executors to block asset distribution

Key points

• New Mexico filed a civil suit under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and state racketeering laws against Epstein’s lawyer and accountant.
• The lawsuit claims Indyke and Kahn concealed abuse at the Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe and blocked victim compensation.
• Attorney General Torrez stated that Epstein’s crimes were enabled by handlers and that the men should not profit from the estate.
• Indyke and Kahn’s attorney, Daniel Weiner, rejected the claims as false and noted that no victims accused them of abuse or complicity.
• The estate’s assets have dropped from over $600 million to roughly $107 million after paying survivors and legal fees.
• New Mexico reopened a criminal probe in February 2026 and searched the Zorro Ranch in March, though the ranch was sold in 2023.

Background

This lawsuit follows a Wall Street Journal report that the Southern District of New York opened an investigation into Indyke and Kahn. It also comes after New Mexico relaunched its criminal probe into Epstein in February 2026. The state had previously paused its investigation at the request of federal prosecutors in 2019. The current civil action is distinct from the ongoing criminal investigation and focuses on the distribution of Epstein’s remaining assets.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and ABC News both report the core allegations but emphasize different aspects. BBC highlights Torrez’s argument that the men are 'blocking efforts by Epstein's victims to seek compensation' and focuses on the moral argument that survivors should receive the assets. ABC News provides more detail on the financial mechanics, noting that the estate has dwindled to $107 million and that Indyke and Kahn were bequeathed $50 million and $25 million, respectively. ABC also includes quotes from survivors Anouska De Georgiou and Julia Molchanova, who argue that accountability must extend beyond Epstein and Maxwell. Both sources report the defendants’ denial, but ABC News includes a more detailed statement from their attorney, Daniel Weiner, emphasizing that no woman has accused them of abuse and that the AG’s office did not interview them before filing.

Why it matters

The lawsuit could prevent Indyke and Kahn from receiving their planned bequests, potentially redirecting funds to Epstein’s victims. It also signals a broader effort to hold Epstein’s associates accountable for enabling his crimes, even after his death. The case may set a precedent for how estate assets are distributed in cases involving sex trafficking and civil liability.

What to watch

The case will proceed in federal court, where the court will determine whether Indyke and Kahn knowingly facilitated Epstein’s crimes. The outcome could affect the distribution of the remaining $107 million in the estate. New Mexico’s criminal probe into Epstein’s activities in the state will continue, and the Zorro Ranch, now owned by a third party, is cooperating with law enforcement.