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The Epstein Victim Compensation Program stated in a statement on Monday that in the past year, the Epstein Victim Compensation Program has paid more than $121 million to most of the 150 eligible claimants.
The plan aims to compensate convicted sex offenders and survivors of financier Jeffrey Epstein. After deciding to provide approximately 150 eligible people with $125 million, its managers announced in a statement , The plan has ended its claim procedure. statement on Monday.
Between the launch on June 25, 2020 and the submission deadline on March 25, 2021, approximately 225 claims were submitted to the Epstein Victim Compensation Program. The goal is to provide financial compensation to those who survived Epstein’s sexual abuse, without forcing them to leave the U.S. court or face public scrutiny. Some of Epstein’s victims were girls as young as 14 years old.
The victim compensation program is led by an independent administrator, Jordana “Jordy” Feldman, who is responsible for reviewing claims, meeting with claimants, and issuing decisions. The organization said in a statement that claimants have 60 days to decide whether they are willing to accept compensation offers.
Feldman said in the statement: “Every claimant has the opportunity to express an opinion in a safe space, share what they have experienced and how it affects their intimate, personal, and often painful narrative.” I have always been shocked by the resilience and courage of the victims, and they have full confidence in this process.”
The organization stated that the program initially expected to receive approximately 100 claims, but the total received was more than twice that. Of those whose claims were deemed eligible, 92% accepted the compensation provided to them, and the program paid more than $121 million to these claimants.
The end of the claims process was the day before the second anniversary of Epstein’s death at the age of 66. He was found dead in a prison cell in New York City on August 10, 2019, and was held there while awaiting a sex trial for trafficking charges. His death was convicted of suicide.
Epstein has connections with many well-known politicians and businessmen through his financial transactions and charitable donations.
Last week, Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates described his relationship with Epstein as “Huge mistake” In a CNN interview that aired a few days after his divorce from his ex-wife Melinda France Gates. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Gates of France met with a divorce lawyer after being upset about the relationship between her husband at the time and Epstein.
For victims of Epstein’s abuse, this is a long road.
In February, the victim compensation plan announced that it was forced to Temporarily stop payment Concerns about the liquidity of Epstein’s estate assets prompted a judge in the U.S. Virgin Islands to request that the estate’s assets be frozen.
The organization stated in a statement that as the administrator of the project, Feldman was “independent of Epstein Manor and is completely free from any intervention or control by Epstein Manor”, adding that she “has complete autonomy. And decision-making power to determine the eligibility and compensation of individual claimants”.
In Monday’s statement, Feldman admitted that nothing can erase the pain that survivors of Epstein’s abuse had to endure.
“I am proud of what we have achieved through this program, but I also realize that no amount of money can erase the years of suffering these victims have suffered because of Jeffrey Epstein,” Feldman Added. “I hope that the plan will provide his victims with meaningful justice measures and take a step on the road to healing.”
Feldman previously served as the deputy special director of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, which aims to compensate victims of the September 11, 2001 attack in the United States.
Epstein’s confidante and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty to allegations of sex trafficking with Epstein. Her trial may begin in New York City as early as November.
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