Epstein Lawsuit Settlement
Bank of America will pay $72.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation. The lawsuit, filed in October by a Florida woman, alleges she was abused by Epstein "on at least 100 occasions" between 2011 and 2019. She also claims she held two accounts at Bank of America at the direction of Epstein's business team. Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for the victims, said the resolution was "one more step on the road to much deserved justice."
The lawsuit alleged the bank had "a plethora of information regarding Epstein's sex trafficking operation but chose profit over protecting the victims." Court documents state that Bank of America makes "no admission of liability" or "wrongdoing" as part of the settlement. The settlement awaits a judge's approval after the documents were filed in a federal court in New York on Friday.
The lawsuit cites a record of "incredibly alarming and erratic banking behaviour" in the Jane Doe's Bank of America accounts, which were used by Epstein's team. The lawsuit also cites Bank of America's handling of billionaire Leon Black's account, through which more than $150 million was paid to Epstein for purported "tax and estate planning advice." Black, co-founder of Apollo Global, has denied wrongdoing. Bank of America stated that "this resolution allows us to put this matter behind us and provides further closure for the plaintiffs."
Paris Attack Attempt
French police foiled an apparent bomb attack outside a Bank of America building in Paris on Saturday. One suspect was detained, while another fled. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. near the Champs-Elysees. Police spotted two men carrying a shopping bag, one of whom was allegedly about to ignite a device consisting of an ignition system and a container filled with liquid believed to be fuel.
An initial assessment found approximately 650 grams of explosive powder in the device. The object was taken to a forensics lab for analysis. An unnamed police source told AFP the suspect had been recruited via Snapchat to carry out the bombing in exchange for €600 (roughly $692).
The French AFP news agency reported that an unnamed police source said the suspect had been recruited via Snapchat to carry out the bombing in exchange for €600, roughly $692.→An unnamed police source told AFP the suspect had been recruited via Snapchat to carry out the bombing in exchange for €600 (roughly $692).
Attribution is vague ('unnamed police source'). While the sources do cite unnamed sources, the summary should be more specific: this is a single claim from one unnamed source, not corroborated reporting. The vagueness ('an unnamed police source said') obscures that this is unverified.
For example, the sources report that the explosive device contained a five-liter container filled with an unidentified liquid, in addition to the approximately 650 grams of explosive powder.
Terrorism Investigation
France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office, or PNAT, launched an investigation into alleged terrorism-related offenses. These include attempted damage by fire or by a dangerous means, the manufacture of an incendiary or explosive device, possession and transport of such devices with the intent to prepare dangerous damage, and involvement in a terrorist criminal association. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the "rapid intervention" of police.
Nunez said that vigilance "remains at a very high level," and thanked "security and intelligence forces." Security measures around institutions and sites related to US interests and the Jewish community have been increased. A spokesperson for Bank of America said the organization was "aware of the situation" and "communicating with the authorities." The suspect was arrested at about 3:25am local time in the city's 8th arrondissement.
The sources also report that this settlement is the third by a major bank, after JP Morgan Chase paid $290 million and Deutsche Bank paid $75 million related to Epstein's activities.