(Ken Silva, Headline USA) A victim of deceased multimillionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring has objected to the proposed $290 million settlement with JPMorgan Chase on the grounds that one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys also once represented former President and Epstein associate Bill Clinton, as well as Harvey Weinstein.
The victim, Sarah Ransome, also objected because of her relationship with former JP Morgan executive Adam Castellani, who allegedly “coerced and groomed” her into refraining to pursue charges against Epstein some 15 years ago.
Separately, attorneys general of 16 states and Washington, D.C., have reportedly complained in a letter to the court about settlement language that prevents “any sovereign or government” from seeking damages arising from sex trafficking by Epstein and the late financier’s associates.
A federal judge ordered on Monday for those attorneys general to file their complaints formally with the court.
As far as Ransome’s objection goes, she expressed her disappointment in the settlement, which prevented her from testifying in a trial that would have been taking place this week.
“JP Morgan is well aware that I was eager to testify about Adam Castellani and his role in Epstein trafficking me at the previously upcoming trial on 23 October,” she said in an affidavit.
Ransome further outlined the conflicts of interest between the plaintiffs’ lawyers and the victims. She first filed a complaint about this with the U.S. Bar Association last year, but said nothing happened as a result.
“I am also objecting to the involvement of class counsel David Boies, who has maintained a cozy relationship with Bill Clinton, a well-known associate of Jeffrey Epstein (as well as Harvey Weinstein),” she said.
According to Ransome, Boies represents another victim, Juliette Bryant, who was “trafficked with the aid of Bill Clinton.”
“It concerns me that all these powerful men remain strangely connected,” she said.
“It has also come to my attention that Simone Lelchuk, the administrator that the class attorneys and the defendants chose, also has multiple conflicts of interest; she recently served as an ‘independent’ Claims Examiner to allocate funds to compensate the sex-abuse victims of Harvey Weinstein,” she added.
“Simone must be removed and investigated immediately.”
A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9, when the presiding judge will decide whether to approve the settlement.
Ken Silva is a staff writer at Headline USA. Follow him at twitter.com/jd_cashless.
