EXCLUSIVE: Epstein Victims Score Court Victory as Judge Certifies New Class Action Against Bank Accused of Helping Facilitate Predator's Operation
Epstein's victims scored a major legal victory as a judge certified a class-action lawsuit against FirstBank Puerto Rico.
Oct. 21 2026, Published 6:45 p.m. ET
Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims have scored a major legal victory after a federal judge certified a new class-action lawsuit against a Puerto Rican bank accused of helping facilitate the late financier's s---trafficking operation, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
According to court documents obtained by Radar, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff granted class certification on October 20 in a lawsuit brought by Julia Molchonova against FirstBank Puerto Rico and its parent company, First BanCorp.
Judge Hands Epstein Victims Major Victory
A federal judge certified a new class action involving women abused or trafficked by Epstein.
The ruling allows women allegedly abused or trafficked by Epstein between January 1, 1998, and August 10, 2019, to pursue claims collectively against the financial institutions.
In the two-page order, Rakoff declared: "The Court hereby grants Molchonova's motion and certifies the following class: All women who were abused or trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein at any time between January 1, 1998, and August 10, 2019."
The judge noted that FirstBank opposed the motion, which was argued during an October 15 hearing. Following the hearing, Rakoff requested additional numerical information from a claims administrator involved in separate Epstein-related litigation concerning Bank of America, JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank.
The information was delivered October 17 and shared with the parties two days later. Rakoff said a separate opinion explaining his decision would follow, after which the court would consider notifying eligible class members.
Bank Accused of Handling Millions for Epstein
FirstBank Puerto Rico allegedly maintained more than 30 Epstein-linked accounts over two decades.
The latest ruling follows an October 14 opinion in which Rakoff allowed several claims against FirstBank to proceed. Molchonova alleges the bank maintained an extensive financial relationship with Epstein despite mounting evidence of his alleged criminal activities.
According to the earlier opinion, the complaint claims FirstBank opened and maintained more than 30 accounts associated with Epstein and related entities over two decades. Those accounts allegedly facilitated millions of dollars in transfers involving Epstein, his associates, and entities connected to his operations.
The lawsuit further alleges that FirstBank continued providing services even after other major financial institutions ended their relationships with Epstein.
Epstein's Banking Ties Face Scrutiny
Court filings allege FirstBank continued serving Epstein despite warning signs surrounding his activities.
In his earlier ruling, Rakoff examined allegations that FirstBank ignored warning signs surrounding Epstein's activities.
The complaint claims the bank processed payments involving Epstein-linked entities and maintained accounts despite publicly available reports concerning his abuse of young women and girls.
Rakoff concluded that Molchonova had sufficiently alleged participation in a s---trafficking venture to allow her claim under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to proceed.
However, the judge dismissed a separate claim alleging obstruction of enforcement under that law. FirstBank has contested the allegations, and no finding of liability has been made.
Epstein Victims' Lawsuit Moves Forward
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The newly certified class covers women abused or trafficked by Epstein between 1998 and 2019.
The newly certified class covers a period beginning around the time FirstBank allegedly opened accounts connected to Epstein and ending with his death in August 2019.
The decision represents a significant procedural step for alleged victims seeking to hold financial institutions accountable for their purported roles in Epstein's operations.
For now, the case will continue under the court's existing schedule while Rakoff prepares a more detailed explanation of his class-certification ruling.
