Federal Judge Allows Epstein Survivors’ Claims Against FirstBank to Proceed (9/30/26)

A federal judge in Manhattan ruled that FirstBank Puerto Rico and its parent company, First BanCorp, must face most of a lawsuit accusing the bank of helping sustain Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation for more than two decades. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff rejected the bank’s effort to dismiss the central claim brought under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, allowing survivor Julia Molchonova to continue arguing that FirstBank knowingly benefited from participating in Epstein’s trafficking venture. The lawsuit alleges that FirstBank maintained more than 30 accounts tied to Epstein, his companies and associates from at least 1998 through 2020, including a primary Epstein account that remained open until October 2019. It also claims the bank processed at least $21 million in wire transfers involving Epstein accounts between 2013 and his death in 2019, while continuing to provide services even after his 2008 conviction.Rakoff also allowed a claim under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act to move forward, although he dismissed a separate claim accusing FirstBank of obstructing enforcement of the federal trafficking law. FirstBank has denied the allegations and says it merely provided routine banking services without knowledge of Epstein’s trafficking operation. Molchonova is seeking to turn the case into a class action on behalf of women who say they were sexually abused or trafficked by Epstein or his associates, with a class-certification hearing scheduled for October 15. The ruling puts FirstBank alongside JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank and Bank of America as another major financial institution forced to defend its relationship with Epstein and explain why it continued doing business with him despite his criminal history and the warning signs surrounding his accounts.to contact me:[email protected]:FirstBank Must Face Epstein Survivors’ Sex Trafficking Lawsuit, Judge Rules | Law CommentaryBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

There was repeated speculation that Ghislaine Maxwell might eventually write a memoir or autobiography giving her version of her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the criminal case against her and the years she spent moving through elite social circles. Reports suggested that Maxwell had considered telling her story from prison, potentially addressing Epstein, Prince Andrew, her prosecution and the people who surrounded them. The possibility attracted attention because Maxwell has continued to dispute aspects of the case against her and has portrayed herself as unfairly blamed for Epstein’s crimes, making a memoir an obvious vehicle for her to try to reshape the public record.But despite the recurring talk, no Maxwell autobiography or memoir has been published to date. There has been no confirmed release, no completed book made public and no definitive publishing announcement that resulted in an actual memoir reaching readers. The idea has surfaced periodically in media reports and speculation, but it has remained just that: a potential project rather than a finished work. As of now, Maxwell has given interviews and made statements through legal filings and other channels, but the long-discussed memoir that might offer her full account of the Epstein saga has never come to fruition.to contact me:[email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

For many Americans, Congress’s performance on Jeffrey Epstein transparency and accountability has been deeply unsatisfying. Lawmakers have held hearings, issued subpoenas, demanded records and publicly promised greater disclosure, but the broader public remains highly skeptical that the government has fully come clean. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published in February 2026 found that 75 percent of Americans believed the federal government was probably or definitely hiding information about Epstein’s alleged clients, while 69 percent said the Epstein files reinforced the belief that powerful people in the United States are rarely held accountable. That distrust cuts across party lines, suggesting that the frustration surrounding Epstein is not confined to one political faction.Congress has also been operating against a backdrop of historically low public confidence. A July 2026 Pew survey found that only 25 percent of Americans viewed Congress favorably, while 72 percent viewed it unfavorably. In the Epstein context, that broader distrust has been compounded by years of delayed disclosures, heavily redacted records, incomplete document releases and repeated fights over what the public is entitled to see. The result is a widespread perception that congressional action has produced far more hearings, letters and promises than actual resolution, while the central questions about Epstein’s network, institutional enablers and the full scope of government knowledge remain unresolved.to contat me;[email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

After Jeffrey Epstein was accused of sexually abusing girls, he increasingly leaned on philanthropy, science and elite institutions as a form of reputational armor. He donated money to universities, researchers, scientists and charitable causes, cultivated relationships with prominent academics and intellectuals, and promoted himself as a benefactor of cutting-edge science and humanitarian work. That image helped surround him with respected institutions and influential people even after his 2008 conviction, allowing Epstein to present himself not simply as a disgraced financier, but as a patron of science and philanthropy whose money still opened doors.Every donation, dinner, academic relationship and institutional connection helped reinforce the image of a man still accepted by powerful circles despite his criminal history. Critics later argued that some institutions were far too willing to take his money and access while overlooking what was already publicly known about him. In that sense, Epstein’s philanthropy functioned like armor around his reputation, helping insulate him from the full consequences of the abuse allegations and allowing him to remain connected to elite networks long after he should have become untouchable.to contact me:[email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

During the Office of Inspector General investigation into the death of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in August 2019, correctional officer Tova Noel gave an interview describing how the morning unfolded when Epstein was discovered in his cell. According to her account, she and fellow officer Michael Thomas were assigned to monitor the Special Housing Unit overnight. Noel told investigators that when breakfast rounds began that morning, Thomas approached Epstein’s cell and noticed something was wrong. She said Thomas called out for assistance and that she moved toward the area, where Epstein was found hanging from a strip of bedding tied to the top bunk. Noel stated that Thomas entered the cell first and attempted to cut the ligature while she retrieved equipment to assist, after which they lowered Epstein to the floor so CPR could begin.However, the OIG investigation was highly critical of Noel’s conduct and the credibility of the circumstances she described. Investigators determined that Noel and Thomas had failed to perform the legally required inmate counts and physical security checks for hours during the night Epstein died, leaving him unmonitored in a high-risk suicide watch environment. The report also found that Noel later signed official count sheets falsely indicating that the checks had been completed, despite evidence showing they had not been. Surveillance records and other evidence suggested the officers spent large portions of the shift away from their assigned duties, and investigators concluded that their negligence created the conditions that allowed Epstein to remain unattended long enough to die. As a result, Noel’s interview with OIG was viewed less as a clear explanation of events and more as part of a broader record showing severe procedural failures and falsified documentation at the very time Epstein required the highest level of supervision.to contact me:[email protected]:EFTA00117759.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

During the Office of Inspector General investigation into the death of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in August 2019, correctional officer Tova Noel gave an interview describing how the morning unfolded when Epstein was discovered in his cell. According to her account, she and fellow officer Michael Thomas were assigned to monitor the Special Housing Unit overnight. Noel told investigators that when breakfast rounds began that morning, Thomas approached Epstein’s cell and noticed something was wrong. She said Thomas called out for assistance and that she moved toward the area, where Epstein was found hanging from a strip of bedding tied to the top bunk. Noel stated that Thomas entered the cell first and attempted to cut the ligature while she retrieved equipment to assist, after which they lowered Epstein to the floor so CPR could begin.However, the OIG investigation was highly critical of Noel’s conduct and the credibility of the circumstances she described. Investigators determined that Noel and Thomas had failed to perform the legally required inmate counts and physical security checks for hours during the night Epstein died, leaving him unmonitored in a high-risk suicide watch environment. The report also found that Noel later signed official count sheets falsely indicating that the checks had been completed, despite evidence showing they had not been. Surveillance records and other evidence suggested the officers spent large portions of the shift away from their assigned duties, and investigators concluded that their negligence created the conditions that allowed Epstein to remain unattended long enough to die. As a result, Noel’s interview with OIG was viewed less as a clear explanation of events and more as part of a broader record showing severe procedural failures and falsified documentation at the very time Epstein required the highest level of supervision.to contact me:[email protected]:EFTA00117759.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Day two of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing focused heavily on prosecutors’ effort to connect Robinson to the Utah Valley University campus and to the physical evidence recovered after Charlie Kirk was shot. Investigators introduced additional surveillance footage they said showed Robinson moving around UVU before and after the shooting, while the State also turned to forensic evidence recovered along the alleged escape route. A screwdriver found on top of the Losee Center and a towel recovered from a wooded area near the rifle became major points of testimony. The State Bureau of Investigation introduced an FBI laboratory report concluding that DNA from both Robinson and his roommate, Lance Twiggs, was present on the screwdriver and towel, evidence prosecutors argued helped connect Robinson to the rooftop area and to the abandoned rifle. The hearing also featured argument over the State’s allegation that Kirk had been targeted because of his political and religious views, an issue relevant to the victim-targeting enhancement prosecutors had attached to several chargesThe defense spent much of the day attacking how strongly the forensic evidence could actually be interpreted. FBI forensic examiner Amanda Bakker was questioned for roughly three hours as defense attorney Michael Burt dug into the technical details of the DNA testing, mixtures, statistical interpretation and the limitations of what the results could establish about when or how DNA was deposited on the objects. Robinson’s lawyers also pushed back against the State’s motive theory, challenging the attempt to characterize the killing as being driven by Kirk’s religious beliefs in addition to political disagreement. By the end of day two, prosecutors had added important physical evidence to the surveillance case presented on day one, but the defense had begun laying out the approach it would use throughout the hearing: concede that certain items contained Robinson-associated evidence while aggressively challenging what that evidence actually proved about possession, timing, motive and the circumstances of Kirk’s killing.to contact me:[email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

A 158-page independent review of the September 10, 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk found significant security failures at Utah Valley University before and during the event. According to the report, the university did not conduct a formal security assessment, did not create a written event action plan and applied its own major-event policies inconsistently despite obvious risk factors, including Kirk’s high profile, expected protests, uncertain attendance and the use of an outdoor courtyard surrounded by elevated vantage points. Only three university police officers were initially assigned to secure an event that ultimately drew several thousand people, and there was no structured coordination with Kirk’s private security team or outside law enforcement. The report also found there was no dedicated real-time monitoring of campus security cameras, no meaningful line-of-sight assessment and no comprehensive pre-event security briefing.The review also found that Utah Valley University allowed Turning Point USA to control key decisions that directly affected security, including ticketing and the choice to keep the event outdoors even after concerns were raised about the venue. Because TPUSA handled registration, university officials reportedly lacked an accurate estimate of how large the crowd would become, and police did not request additional outside resources even after attendance swelled into the thousands. The report did not conclude that university officials acted maliciously or with willful disregard for safety, but it identified numerous shortcomings serious enough to produce nearly 150 recommendations for reform. Kirk’s family has since issued a wrongful-death notice against the university, alleging that reckless security decisions contributed to his death, while UVU President Jon Anderson has acknowledged the report’s findings and said the school has begun implementing changes.to contact me:[email protected]:Charlie Kirk assassination report highlights several security failures at Utah Valley UniversityBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s attempt to overturn her conviction and 20-year prison sentence, dismantling the arguments she raised in a sprawling petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Maxwell claimed that newly released Epstein-related records, alleged prosecutorial misconduct, false testimony and withheld evidence demonstrated that her trial had resulted in a miscarriage of justice. Engelmayer was unequivocal, finding that nearly all of her claims were either procedurally barred because they had already been raised or could have been raised on appeal, or were simply unsupported by the record. He described the evidence presented against Maxwell at trial as overwhelming and concluded that the purportedly new material she relied upon did not undermine the jury’s verdict.Engelmayer also found that much of the material Maxwell portrayed as exculpatory was either irrelevant or actually reinforced the case against her. He rejected all 10 principal claims in her petition, denied her request for an evidentiary hearing and refused additional discovery, concluding that she had failed to show any constitutional violation warranting relief. The court also declined to issue a certificate of appealability and certified that an appeal would not be taken in good faith for purposes of proceeding without paying filing fees. The August 25, 2026 ruling therefore left Maxwell’s conviction and sentence fully intact while closing one of her remaining avenues for challenging the verdict in federal court.to contacct me:[email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s attempt to overturn her conviction and 20-year prison sentence, dismantling the arguments she raised in a sprawling petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Maxwell claimed that newly released Epstein-related records, alleged prosecutorial misconduct, false testimony and withheld evidence demonstrated that her trial had resulted in a miscarriage of justice. Engelmayer was unequivocal, finding that nearly all of her claims were either procedurally barred because they had already been raised or could have been raised on appeal, or were simply unsupported by the record. He described the evidence presented against Maxwell at trial as overwhelming and concluded that the purportedly new material she relied upon did not undermine the jury’s verdict.Engelmayer also found that much of the material Maxwell portrayed as exculpatory was either irrelevant or actually reinforced the case against her. He rejected all 10 principal claims in her petition, denied her request for an evidentiary hearing and refused additional discovery, concluding that she had failed to show any constitutional violation warranting relief. The court also declined to issue a certificate of appealability and certified that an appeal would not be taken in good faith for purposes of proceeding without paying filing fees. The August 25, 2026 ruling therefore left Maxwell’s conviction and sentence fully intact while closing one of her remaining avenues for challenging the verdict in federal court.to contacct me:[email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.