Crimeupdated 1h ago2 min read
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez Sues Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn Over Epstein Estate
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New Mexico sues Epstein's attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn in federal case. Accuses them of facilitating and concealing Epstein's sex trafficking operation.
Lawsuit Targets Estate
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a federal civil lawsuit on Wednesday against the co-executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, seeking to prevent Epstein’s former attorney and accountant from profiting after Epstein’s death "from the illegal activity that they enabled and furthered," according to the court filing.
Torrez named Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn as defendants, and the suit seeks to stop them from accepting any payments from the estate, which AP described as estimated at more than $100 million.
Torrez said the allegations describe a network of people and financial arrangements that helped sustain and conceal the abuse of vulnerable girls and young women, including in New Mexico, and he argued that "Those who allegedly enabled this exploitation should not be allowed to profit" while survivors continue to live with its consequences.
The lawsuit also asks a judge to block Indyke and Kahn from receiving payments from Epstein’s trust as the case proceeds in U.S. District Court in New Mexico, according to CNBC.
Accountability and Denials
Torrez told reporters, "None of this could be done by just one man," and he said the alleged conduct was facilitated by "handlers, by lawyers, by accountants, by others who have yet to face real consequences." Indyke and Kahn denied any knowledge or participation in Epstein’s trafficking, and CNN reported that Indyke told lawmakers, "Let me be clear: I had no knowledge whatsoever of Jeffrey Epstein’s wrongdoings."
Kahn told lawmakers, "We did not interact socially, and I never attended any of his parties of his social functions," and he said he never observed sexual abuse or trafficking of women and never received a complaint. CNN reported that Torrez said the civil lawsuit aims to prevent Indyke and Kahn from getting any money from Epstein’s trust, while the advisers have denied knowledge of or involvement in the sex trafficking operation.
Ranch, Investigations, Stakes
The lawsuit centers on Epstein’s Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe, where AP said the attorney general accused Indyke and Kahn of concealing Epstein’s sex trafficking operation at a sprawling Santa Fe-area ranch. AP reported that New Mexico reopened a criminal investigation earlier this year and conducted a search of the ranch property in March, and it said the investigation is ongoing.
CNBC reported that the estate is currently valued at more than $107 million, and it said the suit alleges Indyke and Kahn are eligible for bequests of $50 million and $25 million, subject to the availability of funds. Torrez said, "Jeffrey Epstein did not operate alone, and his death does not end the pursuit of accountability for the people who helped make his crimes possible," and he argued that the resources "rightfully belong in the hands of survivors," according to ABC News.