Bank of America and Bank of New York Mellon urged a Manhattan federal judge Thursday to dismiss lawsuits accusing them of enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network, arguing that the allegations are “razor-thin” and fail to connect the financial institutions to the crimes.

The suits, filed last month by a survivor identified as Jane Doe, claim the banks provided financial support and a “veneer of institutional legitimacy” to Epstein and his co-conspirators.

Banks Argue Allegations Lack Substance

Both institutions said the complaints recycle boilerplate claims without offering plausible evidence that they did anything beyond routine banking services. Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial, is at the center of the allegations.

BNY’s motion notes that only four paragraphs in the complaint contain allegations unique to the bank—and none claim Epstein held accounts there. “These razor-thin allegations fail to state a claim, and the complaint should be dismissed in its entirety,” the bank wrote.

Similarly, Bank of America called the lawsuit “threadbare and meritless”, saying it largely mirrors prior lawsuits and public reporting, and lacks the non-routine services alleged in prior cases, such as cash structuring or delayed reporting of suspicious transactions exceeding $1 billion.

Alleged Violations and Survivor Claims

Doe claims BNY violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPRA) by participating in Epstein’s scheme, but the complaint fails to allege that the bank provided any services that would suggest knowledge or participation in sex trafficking.

She also claims the banks ignored anti-money laundering requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act, giving Epstein ready access to resources that allowed him to recruit and coerce victims. According to the complaint, the banks maintained accounts for Epstein, co-conspirators, and related entities, allegedly turning a blind eye to red flags to retain a high-net-worth client.

Doe seeks to represent two classes of women trafficked by Epstein or his associates during the years the banks provided services. The claims include knowingly benefiting from, participating in, and aiding a sex trafficking venture, obstructing enforcement of the TVPRA, and negligence in failing to prevent harm or exercise reasonable banking care.

Past Settlements Set a Precedent

Doe’s attorneys, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, previously filed similar suits against Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase, resulting in settlements of $75 million and $290 million, respectively, for survivors.

Despite these prior deals, the banks argue that this complaint lacks non-conclusory allegations and fails to demonstrate that they engaged in non-routine or criminally linked services for Epstein.

Bank Responses

A BNY spokesperson told Law360, “The claims in the lawsuit are meritless, and we will vigorously defend against it.” Representatives for Bank of America and Doe declined comment.

Legal Representation

• Jane Doe: David Boies, Sigrid S. McCawley (Boies Schiller Flexner LLP); Bradley J. Edwards, Brittany N. Henderson (Edwards Henderson)

• Bank of America: Charlotte H. Taylor, Bethany K. Biesenthal, Paula Quist, Shea F. Spreyer, Carol T. Li (Jones Day)

• BNY Mellon: Felicia H. Ellsworth, Boyd M. Johnson III, Christopher Bouchoux, Andres C. Salinas (WilmerHale)