TrendRundown › World · updated Oct 21, 3:40 PM EDT

Why is “Jeffrey Epstein Zorro Ranch Lawsuit” trending?

New Mexico sues Epstein's former lawyer and accountant over alleged cover-up

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a civil lawsuit on Wednesday against Darren Indyke, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime attorney, and Richard Kahn, his longtime accountant. The complaint, filed in federal court in New Mexico, accuses the two men of helping hide Epstein's crimes. It names both men personally and in their roles as co-executors of Epstein's estate. The filing also names the estate itself and a trust that holds its assets. The state wants a court order that would stop the two men from collecting payments from the estate while the case moves forward.

The case centers on Zorro Ranch, Epstein's property in Stanley, New Mexico. According to the complaint, Epstein and his associates abused survivors at the ranch and other locations. The lawsuit also claims the advisers received large salaries and gifts in return for staying silent. Court papers say Indyke received more than $16 million from Epstein and related entities from 2011 to 2019, and Kahn received more than $10 million over that period. Indyke and Kahn have denied knowing about or helping with Epstein's abuse. Their attorney called the suit baseless. Earlier this year, the two men told a House committee they were unaware of Epstein's crimes.

Key facts

• New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the civil suit in federal court in New Mexico.
• The suit accuses Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn of facilitating and concealing Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
• The complaint asks a court to block the two men from receiving estate payments during the case.
• The suit alleges Indyke received over $16 million and Kahn over $10 million from Epstein-linked sources between 2011 and 2019.
• Indyke and Kahn deny any knowledge of or involvement in the abuse; their lawyers call the suit baseless.
• CNN reported that Epstein's will left Indyke $50 million and Kahn $25 million; their attorneys say payments would come only after creditors are paid and probate ends.

What we don't know yet

It is unclear how the court will rule on the request to halt estate payments, and the outcome of the separate reported federal investigation of the two men has not been made public.

Our summary of reporting by The Guardian, CNN, AP News. Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources; read the full stories at the links below. Updated Oct 21, 3:41 PM EDT.

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What the headlines say

• The GuardianEpstein’s attorney and accountant accused of ‘facilitating and concealing’ his crimes in lawsuitOct 21, 3:10 PM EDT
• CNNNew Mexico attorney general files civil lawsuit against two Epstein advisersOct 21, 3:10 PM EDT
• AP NewsNew Mexico attorney general accuses Epstein attorney, accountant of abuse cover-up at ranchOct 21, 3:10 PM EDT

How the story unfolded

• Oct 21, 3:10 PM EDT — The Guardian: Epstein’s attorney and accountant accused of ‘facilitating and concealing’ his crimes in lawsuit
• Oct 21, 3:10 PM EDT — CNN: New Mexico attorney general files civil lawsuit against two Epstein advisers
• Oct 21, 3:10 PM EDT — AP News: New Mexico attorney general accuses Epstein attorney, accountant of abuse cover-up at ranch

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