Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier accused of child sex trafficking, signed a will just days before he apparently killed himself in prison, according to reports.
A copy of the will, which was filed last week with a court in the U.S. Virgin Islands, showed that Epstein had $578 million in assets transferred to a trust on Aug. 8, two days before he died in a Manhattan jail cell, the New York Post first reported.
{mosads}Bloomberg News, which also obtained a copy of the will, noted that Epstein had asked that Darren K. Indyke, who had served as his attorney, and Richard D. Kahn be appointed as executors.
The will reportedly lists assets similar to the ones invoked in Epstein’s unsuccessful attempt to seek bail following his arrest. According to the document, Epstein’s valuation does not account for his art collection, which is still subject to appraisal.
A New York City medical examiner last Friday ruled that Epstein’s death was a suicide by hanging. His death came as he awaited trial on allegations that he had trafficked dozens of minors for sex.
His case led to renewed scrutiny over a plea agreement he reached with a U.S. attorney’s office in Florida more than a decade ago, in which Epstein was able to avoid federal charges. He pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges and served just 13 months in jail.
Bloomberg noted that Epstein’s estate is expected to face a litany of lawsuits from those who have accused the financier of child sex abuse.
Epstein’s trust was referred to as “The 1953 Trust” in court documents. The documents say that executors can “litigate, defend, compromise, settle, abandon or submit to arbitration” any claims against his estate.
The documents also list Mark Epstein, Epstein’s brother, as his only next of kin.
“Petitioners are investigating potential debts and claims of the Estate and at this time they are unknown,” the document reads.
Bloomberg noted that the details of Epstein’s trust will not be required to be disclosed in court. The document does not reveal who the trustees are, only that they will inherit all of Epstein’s property.