Two women whose images as girls were found in pornography seized from Jeffrey Epstein have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against his estate, seeking at least $6 million for more than 40 people.
One plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, says partially nude photographs of her were stolen when she was just 12 years old and believes they later became part of Epstein's collection.
The second plaintiff, identified as 'Amy', says she is featured in child sexual abuse material seized from Epstein's properties and that the material remains in circulation.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court on 16 September, puts fresh focus on an alleged 'modelling book' seized by federal investigators from Epstein's New York home in 2019.
According to the complaint, the book contained sexualised images of children, while thousands of additional photographs and videos were recovered from Epstein's properties. The plaintiffs allege that Epstein and unnamed associates represented some of the images as being connected to the development of child models for Victoria's Secret.
The case seeks to expand legal claims against Epstein's estate beyond allegations of sexual assault. The plaintiffs want a court-supervised process to identify people depicted in the seized material and notify them, arguing that many may not know their images were collected or distributed.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting sex from a minor and was charged with sex trafficking of minors in 2019, but he was never prosecuted for creating, obtaining or distributing child sexual abuse material.
Lawsuit Focuses on Epstein's Alleged 'Modelling Book'
The proposed class action names Darren Indyke, Epstein's former lawyer, and Richard Kahn, his former accountant, in their capacities as co-executors of Epstein's estate.
The complaint alleges that Epstein maintained a 'modelling book' containing sexualised images of children in a locked safe, and federal investigators seized the material during searches of Epstein's Manhattan property in 2019.
According to Reuters, the lawsuit says more than 40 people could be represented initially, although the plaintiffs' lawyer Hillary Nappi said the potential class could eventually include thousands because many individuals depicted in Epstein's collection have never been identified.
The lawsuit seeks at least $6 million, including $150,000 for each eligible class member, as well as other financial penalties.
Jane Doe Says Images Were Taken When She Was 12
Jane Doe's allegation is at the centre of the case. According to the lawsuit, photographs of her were taken when she was 12 as part of an artist study, and she alleges the partially nude photographs were later stolen.
The complaint alleges that Epstein's possession and use of such images caused continuing harm, including distress connected to the knowledge that photographs taken during her childhood had been retained and used without her consent.
The second named plaintiff, 'Amy', says she appears in child sexual abuse material seized from Epstein's properties and that the material remains in circulation.
That allegation adds another dimension to the case, as the lawsuit is not solely seeking compensation but is also asking for an effort to establish who appears in the material and whether those people have been informed. The plaintiffs are seeking a process to identify people depicted in Epstein's collection and notify them.
Why Victoria's Secret Appears in the Allegations
The Victoria's Secret reference stems from Epstein's longstanding association with the company's former owner, Les Wexner, and allegations that Epstein used the Victoria's Secret name when approaching aspiring models.
A previously released statement from an Epstein accuser described being told that Epstein could help her enter the Victoria's Secret modelling world.
The Department of Justice's released records also contain allegations concerning Epstein presenting himself as having connections to Victoria's Secret. The new lawsuit alleges that Epstein and unnamed co-conspirators said some of the sexualised images in his possession were connected to developing child models for Victoria's Secret.
That is an allegation in the civil complaint, not a finding that Victoria's Secret participated in the alleged abuse.
The distinction is important because Epstein's relationship with Wexner has previously drawn scrutiny, while evidence that Epstein invoked Victoria's Secret as a recruiting pretext has been documented separately.
Survivors Want People Depicted in the Images Identified
The plaintiffs are asking the court to establish a process involving the estate and federal authorities to identify people depicted in Epstein's collection and notify them. Their lawyers argue that the issue remains unresolved for people whose images were seized but whose identities may never have been established publicly.
The Justice Department has released millions of pages, images and videos connected to the Epstein investigations. It has also said victim identities have been redacted and warned that the material includes sensitive content.
The new lawsuit therefore seeks not only damages but information about who was photographed, what material was collected and whether people depicted in it were ever notified.
