Jeffrey Epstein’s long-time friend, confidant, and now named co-conspirator Ghislain Maxwell has been arraigned on six federal charges in a New York federal court on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14th 2020.
The charges, announced earlier in the month, include conspiracy to commit sexual assault against a minor, the participation in said sexual assault, the transportation across state lines for the purpose of abusing a minor, and perjury regarding her and Epstein’s alleged acts, all of which occurred in the late 1990’s to early 2000’s.
Listening in closely to the hearing, personal injury attorney and victims’ rights advocate Spencer Kuvin, who represents a total of six women who have pending litigation against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, released a comment following the court proceeding that formally leveled these sobering charges against Maxwell.
“The arraignment of these disturbing sexual assault crimes against minors and the subsequent denial of bail for Ghislaine Maxwell is a continued tip of the scales of justice in favor of the victims after all these years. While Epstein cowardly evaded his charges, Ms. Maxwell will not. With her global connections, cash resources, multiple passports, and a proven willingness to lie to the Court and prosecutors, denying bail was the right call by the Court. The weight of money, power and influence has finally been overcome by the weight of justice and truth. This is a victory for my clients, the victims of Epstein’s illicit sexual pyramid scheme, and as is the rest of the world, we will be eagerly watching as the scales of justice finally tip against Maxwell and other co-conspirators.”
The following is a statement from the desk of Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq, attorney for nearly a dozen of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, on the purported arrest of his recruiter, confidant, and fellow co-conspirator in Epstein’s infamous pedophilia criminal ring Ghislaine Maxwell this morning in New Hampshire.
“As we have consistently said, we were hopeful that the U.S. Attorney’s office would hold all co-conspirators accountable for their actions in the Epstein conspiracy. With the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell, this welcomed news will hopefully be the first of many co-conspirators to face the consequences of this horrific crimes. While the fund [Epstein Victim’s Compensation Program] was the first page of the last chapter in this sad and terrible saga, the prosecution of Epstein’s co-conspirators, including Ms. Maxwell, will signal the conclusion of this final chapter. The arrest and successful prosecution of Ms. Maxwell and other co-conspirators brings this sad story full circle to a close. We are proud of the FBI and the States’ Attorney’s office for their voracious investigation, and the victims are again hopeful that the justice system will hold these people accountable. We will now wait and see if this holds true.”
Attributed to Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq. of the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. in West Palm Beach, FL. Kuvin has been representing many of Epstein’s accusers since 2006 and was recently featured in the popular Netflix miniseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich.
We will be live streaming the press conference beginning at 10:55 a.m. to YouTube.
Press and Media Contacts
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AT A GLANCE:
Kuvin will provide background on the Fund and how it works
Kuvin will take questions about why this matters for all victims, whether they have pending litigation or not
We will have a client whose confidentiality will be protected available to take questions about what the establishment of this fund means to her
Covid-19 best practices will be adhered to…please wear a mask.
The Epstein Victim’s Compensation Program (“fund”) will begin accepting claims from victims and survivors of the late financier’s sexual assault victims on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Kuvin, who represents several Epstein victims, and has been litigating against Epstein for more than a decade, discusses the fund and its significance as a victory for victim’s rights against the disgraced billionaire’s estate.
Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq., who has been fighting for over twenty-five years on behalf of victims of sexual assault and abuse as a nationally recognized litigator against infamous perpetrators including Bill Cosby and Jeffrey Epstein, will lead a press conference to educate the public on the details of the Epstein Victim’s Compensation Program (“fund”), which is scheduled to begin accepting claims on Thursday, June 25, 2020.
Mr. Kuvin, who currently represents four victims, has been frequently interviewed for all things Epstein in national and international media since at least 2006. Most recently, Kuvin was featured on the popular Netflix docuseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, for which Kuvin discusses his 10+ year journey for justice on behalf of his clients against the powerful billionaire.
The Epstein Victim’s Compensation Program: Why Now?
The purpose of the fund is to equitably distribute nearly the entirety of the estimated $630 million estate to the survivors of the disgraced financier’s many decades of sexual assault, abuse, sexploitation, and sex trafficking of women and minor girls.
Epstein was able to perpetrate these horrific crimes for decades, thanks to his wealth and political connections, which eventually produced the now infamous sweetheart plea deal for federal charges in 2009. The number of potential claimants could be in the hundreds.
Women who came into coerced sexual contact with Epstein or his many wealthy and powerful accomplices at any time in their lives, in just about any manner, without regard to when, how, or what occurred, are encouraged to come forward now. Strict confidentiality will be adhered to for those who wish to remain anonymous.
This is the final opportunity for victims to make a compensatory claim against their accuser, and there is a limited window of time to file a claim.
“While nothing can diminish the damage that Epstein caused these women, the establishment and fair distribution of this fund is the first page of the final chapter that is the harrowing saga of Jeffrey Epstein. This is a huge victory for victim’s rights, and finally, so many wrongs will be righted” comments Spencer Kuvin.
To make a valid claim, Kuvin says, claimants must be able to demonstrate either with evidence, or in some cases anecdotally, that they were injured physically or psychologically from their sexual encounters with Epstein or Epstein’s co-conspirators.
How the Epstein Victim’s Compensation Program Works
In order to be eligible to receive compensation, the administrator of the fund, Jordana H. Feldman, Esq., will subjectively determine the credibility of each claim, and the amount of the award. Ms. Feldman, a New York attorney, is known for her work in administering the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
There are no monetary caps to how much a victim can receive, and there is no regard given to the year, circumstances, or manner in which a credible claim is made. However, Kuvin stresses, it is crucial that any claimant is represented by legal counsel to ensure that their claim is adequately prepared, filed in a timely manner, and managed for the best possible outcome.
On January 4, a 48-year-old woman was out with friends when she called an Uber to take her home. One of her friends saw her get into a four-door vehicle, and, thinking it was her Uber ride, asked the driver if everything was okay.
The man, Eddie Lee Thompson, replied that everything was fine, and the victim entered the vehicle.
Unfortunately, things went very badly for the victim, who later told police the next thing she remembered was waking up in a motel room on Broadway with a man she didn’t know blocking the door. He repeatedly raped her, then forced her into a shower with him.
After getting out of the shower, he was momentarily distracted, and she was able to grab her things and run out the door. On Broadway, she flagged down drivers and the authorities were contacted. In July, police arrested Thompson, 31, on sexual battery and false imprisonment charges, based on recovered DNA evidence.
Officials with Uber say they have no record of Thompson ever driving for the company.
The victim may have a case against the motel in Riviera Beach, Florida, where she was assaulted by the assailant, if it can be proven that the manager or owner of the motel was or is aware of this malicious illegal behavior occurring on his premises.
If the lawsuit is successful, the victim could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, and pain and suffering.
In the wake of former actor and comedian, Bill Cosby being sentenced to up to 10 years in a state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, there are still many unanswered questions for many of the other alleged victims.
Personal Injury Trial Attorney Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq. from the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, in West Palm Beach Florida, represents Chloe Goins, a former model who is also legally pursuing Cosby for an assault that allegedly took place at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles sometime around 2010.
Commenting on the current sentencing with CBS12 News, Mr. Kuvin stated, “In the grand scheme of things, we would’ve loved for him to be put behind bars for 10 years,”. He went on to elaborate on how he could now continue to move forward with his civil case, now that the criminal sentencing has concluded.
“I certainly think that the sentence today has a significant effect on ultimately our civil case going forward,” Mr. Kuvin said.
Chloe Goins, claims that at age 17 while she was at the Playboy mansion, Cosby laced her drink with some unknown drug and sexually molested her. Mr. Kuvin, continued to explain that she, Ms Goins, was looking forward to today’s sentencing result and was obviously pleased that justice was served, when mere house arrest and avoiding prison time were real possible outcomes for Cosby.
“Now I believe we would be able to go to a jury out in California and say to them this is a convicted sexual predator. That, I think, significantly helps our case,” Mr. Kuvin says.
Cosby, who was convicted in April of aggravated indecent assault will be classified as a “sexually violent predator,” which requires a lifetime registration and mandatory counseling. Goins is one of at least 44 other women who claim Cosby assaulted them.
Kuvin hopes the Goins’ case against Cosby will go to trial sometime next year, however even if it takes longer or if Cosby were to pass away in custody, she could still potentially collect money from the Cosby estate.
Sexual Assault is a very serious matter and if this has happened to you, you deserved to be heard and the support of an experienced legal team. It is not your fault. Our attorneys can help.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted by a celebrity or high-profile individual, do not hesitate to ask for a 100% free, 100% confidential case consultation with our law firm. This is not your fault, and you have many remedies under the law to seek justice for your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers will visit you anywhere in the U.S., discretely and quickly. For a faster response, fill out the simple form below with basic details. Your privacy is our primary concern. Therefore, you do not need to include details such as who the perpetrator is. You may also anonymize your name using “Jane” or “John Doe”. The most important things we need are a detailed description of what happened, and your phone number.
In the wake of former actor and comedian, Bill Cosby, being sentenced 3 to 10 years in a state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, there are still many unanswered questions for dozens of other victims.
Personal Injury Trial Attorney Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq. of the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, represents Chloe Goins, a former model who is also pursuing Cosby in civil courts for an assault that took place at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles some years back.
Commenting on the current sentencing with CBS12 News, Mr. Kuvin stated, “In the grand scheme of things, we would’ve loved for him to be put behind bars for 10 years.” He went on to elaborate on how our firm can now move forward with Ms. Goins’ civil case, now that the criminal sentencing has concluded.
“I certainly think that the sentence today has a significant effect on ultimately our civil case going forward,” Mr. Kuvin said.
Chloe Goins says that she met Cosby at the Playboy Mansion almost a decade ago, just before Cosby laced her drink with some unknown drug and sexually molested her. Mr. Kuvin says that Ms. Goins was looking forward to Cosby’s sentencing, and was obviously pleased that justice was served. It was at the Judge’s discretion whether to sentence Cosby to mere house arrest or prision time, and he chose prison.
“Now I believe we would be able to go to a jury out in California and say to them this is a convicted sexual predator. That, I think, significantly helps our case,” Mr. Kuvin says.
Cosby, who was convicted at trial in April of aggravated indecent assault, will be classified as a “sexually violent predator,” which requires a lifetime registration and mandatory counseling. Goins is one of at least 44 other women who claim Cosby assaulted them.
Mr. Kuvin hopes the Goins case against Cosby will go to trial sometime next year, however even if it takes longer or if Cosby were to pass away in custody, she could still potentially collect money from the Cosby estate.
Victim of Sexual Assault from a Celebrity or High-Profile Figure?
Sexual Assault is a very serious crime. If you’ve been a victim of unwanted sexual assault or battery from a powerful, famous, or otherwise high-profile individual, don’t be afraid – you deserve to be heard, and you deserve the support of an experienced legal team. It is not your fault. Our attorneys can help.
We offer a 100% free, 100% confidential case consultation with Mr. Kuvin. You may be entitled to compensation for your emotional suffering and other injuries.
Our lawyers will visit you anywhere in the U.S., discretely and quickly. For a faster response, fill out the simple form below with basic details. Your privacy is our primary concern. Therefore, you do not need to include details such as who the perpetrator is. You may keep your anonymity by using “Jane” or “John Doe” as a name. The most important things we need are a detailed description of what happened, and your phone number.
Most victims of sexual assault don’t think of hiring a personal injury lawyer after a brutal, violent attack, and rightfully so. Victims are often severely traumatized, and don’t know what to do or who to call for help.
After a few weeks, many victims will begin to re-gain clarity. That is often an appropriate time to speak with personal injury Craig Goldenfarb, Esq. about possible legal recourse against your attacker.
Our law firm is honored to represent one of the victims of former Uber driver Xolani Mtsitsha, who was arrested in August 2016 after several victims came forward to identify him as the man who raped them while posing as an Uber driver.
According to news reports, there are other instances of sexual assualt in which an Uber driver picks up a rider, and attacks. One case is that of Gary Kitchings, who picked up a rider from Sunfest in March of 2017. Soon after the ride began, Kitchings forced himself sexually upon that unidentified victim. What followed is a deeply disturbing and graphic account of her assault, of which we will not re-publish here. If you are interested in details, you can find a news article on Gary Kitchings here.
Kitchings has been charged with rape, kidnapping, and burglary.
How can a personal injury lawyer help after a sexual attack?
We will hold Defendants and their insurance companies personally and contractually liable for any form of sexual assault anywhere it occurs, regardless of who the attacker is. In the case of the Uber driver who raped our client, we will hold Uber liable for failure to create a safe environment for its riders.
It is Uber’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its customers, not the customer’s themselves. Uber should be performing extensive background checks of its contract drivers. Gary Kitchings should have never been allowed to become a driver for Uber.
Personal injury lawyers who sue sexual predators cannot provide you with medical or psychological treatment following a sexual assault. But we can fight for your right to be compensated for your trauma and suffering. We can also fight for additional compensation to help pay for ongoing medical or psychological treatment.
But you have to call us to find out if we can help, and how. Consultations with our lawyers are always free of charge, and we never charge our clients out-of-pocket for our fees or costs to handle a case.
Our personal injury law firm intends to build strong cases against Uber for our victims of sexual assault and battery perpetrated by the ride-sharing service’s drivers.
If you or someone you know has been assaulted or attacked by an Uber or Lyft driver in any way, please call our law firm as soon as possible.
Los Angeles, CA – 5/22/2017 – A California State Court Judge has denied a motion to dismiss a civil lawsuit against Bill Cosby for sexual assault stemming from an encounter between the disgraced comedian and aspiring model Chloe Goins, at a Playboy Mansion party in 2008. The decision paves the way for the trial to move forward.
Personal Injury Attorney Spencer Kuvin, Esq., of the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A., in West Palm Beach, Florida, who represents Ms. Goins, says the significance of the Court’s denial to dismiss cannot be understated.
“It is the only civil case in the country to succeed beyond a motion to dismiss on the statute of limitations grounds for a primary sexual assault claim,” said Mr. Kuvin. All of the pending civil lawsuits filed by former victims of Cosby have been for defamation due to his public denial of any accountability for his many alleged crimes.
The trial has now been set for June 2018, creating the possibility for Ms. Goins to hold Cosby accountable in the court of law, said Mr. Kuvin.
The timing of the Court’s decision to allow Ms. Goins’ lawsuit to move ahead comes down on the same week that Cosby’s criminal trial for drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand begins in Philadelphia.
The next step in Ms. Goins’ civil trial will include receiving the entire investigative file from the LAPD, and the taking of depositions from Mr. Cosby, and Mr. Hugh Hefner, the owner of the Playboy Mansion, whom Ms. Goins reported to police had introduced her to Mr. Cosby.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual abuse is defined as “unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent.”
While some victims do not know their abuser, most victims know their perpetrators, according to the APA. When victims are sexually abused, the immediate reactions generally include feelings of fear, shock, or disbelief. The long-term effects of sexual abuse are well-documented, and often include anxiety, fear, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In the United States, one of the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organizations is Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). According to RAINN:
Every 98 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted
9 out of every 10 rape victims are female
55% of sexual assaults occur in or near the victim’s residence
In the U.S., 1 out of 6 women are sexually assaulted
Most victims of child sexual abuse are between the ages of 12 and 17
66% of sexual assault victims are children between 12 and 17
Each year, about 321,500 Americans age 12 and older are victims of sexual assault
Can sexual assault victims file a lawsuit?
We want to mention that sexual assault is illegal in all states, and Florida is no exception. In Florida, sexual abuse or sexual assault is criminalized under Sec. 794.011 of the Florida Statutes, sexual battery. While the penalties vary depending on the age of the perpetrator and the victim, sexual battery is commonly prosecuted as a felony in Florida.
If a sexual abuser is imprisoned for their crime, does that mean that a victim cannot file a lawsuit? No, on the contrary, in many cases a victim of sexual abuse or “sexual battery” can file a sexual abuse lawsuit, even if the perpetrator is facing criminal charges or already sitting in jail or prison.
What if the abuser is not wealthy? How can a victim file a sexual abuse lawsuit? In many sexual abuse cases, the victim can file a lawsuit against a liable third party, it all depends on the facts of the case.
For example, if a convenience store clerk was raped late at night in the store’s restroom while she was working, she may be able to file a claim with the property owner’s insurance carrier.
Or, if a teenager had a sexual relationship with her teacher, her family may be able to file a lawsuit against the school that employs the teacher. On the other hand, if a young woman was raped in a grocery store parking lot, she may be able to file a lawsuit against the grocery store for inadequate security – you get the picture.
If you, or someone you love is a victim of sexual abuse (sexual assault, sexual battery, rape, etc.) in West Palm Beach, and it occurred on private or public property, we urge you to contact the Law offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. to discuss your case for free.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – give us a call today to discuss filing a claim for compensation!
It’s not often we come across incidents of sexual abuse or sexual assault occurring between residents at a nursing facility, but it does happen. Take the recent media coverage of one Louis Lawson, an 87-year old man who was caught by staff sexually assaulting an unidentified 94-year old facility resident.
Investigators with the state agency that regulates nursing homes, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), are still looking into what exactly occurred last November, when a staff member of the Village on High Ridge walked in on Lawson performing oral sex on another male resident, who has remained unidentified in the reports. That victim is said to be severely disabled and suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
When asked by staff and police why Lawson was performing fellatio, he insisted that the victim “liked it”, and that he was just “horsing around”. He has been charged with sexual battery, and is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail.
More shockingly, residents of the home and former roommates of Lawson have insinuated that he was overtly sexual, having grabbed or fondled staff, or been known to pleasure himself in front of others. That the staff may have known or documented Lawson’s sexual deviance and inappropriate behavior, and did nothing to prevent it represents substantial neglect on behalf of staff, management, and owners of the facility.
Who is Liable for a Sexual Assault that Occurs at a Nursing Home?
Who is liable for a sexual assault that is perpetrated against a resident on the grounds of a nursing home depends on the circumstances. But in most cases, the nursing home itself can and should be held liable for the assault.
The reason is that ultimately the safety and securing of every resident at the home is the responsibility of the home itself. Further, because many of the facilities in Florida receive government-subsidized revenues including Medicare and Medicaid, they are under strict scrutiny and regulation by the various state agencies that exist to ensure residents receive the care and protection they deserve.
In addition to the various business or liability insurers the nursing home contracts with, the nursing home owners, or specific staff members can also be held liable.
A History of Deficiencies at Village on High Ridge
Village on High Ridge, in Lake Worth, Florida, formerly known as the American-Finish Nursing Home, is no stranger to ACHA, the agency that investigates complaints by residents of nursing homes. The same facility that Lawson was a resident of at the time of his sexual assault against another resident is underscored by violations in the rules and laws regulating skilled care and nursing homes.
For the full year 2015, Village on High Ridge was cited for more than 90 violations during four different visits, some scheduled, and some complaint-driven. In the most recent report, the nursing home was cited for 46 deficiencies, including:
Failure to document an incident in which one resident was verbally abused by another resident
The observance of a large bruise on a patient that could not be explained by staff, and was not documented in any injury reports
Deficiencies in resident rooms, including faulty lighting, and emergency assistance bells not working properly
Sanitary standards not being met in the kitchen, laundry area, and the dining room, as well as other shared spaces
Through Village on High Ridge has not received any fines in the last three years, the facility has earned only 2 stars out of 5 on the federal nursing home comparison website, Nursing Home Compare (medicare.gov).
When Sexual Assault Occurs at a Nursing Home
Sexual assaults at nursing homes is not a common occurrence, but it does happen. The perpetration of sexual assault on the elder is a grotesque act of violence and abuse that is unimaginable for most of us, and more so for those among us that trust these facilities to care for our loved ones.
Sexual assault is an area of personal injury law we practice, and we have handled sexual assault cases involving the elderly, and nursing home residents. In 2015, our law firm settled a sexual assault case at a nursing home in which a 93-year old mother and former world-class pianist had been severely and traumatically sexually assaulted with an unknown object. The terms and parties to that settlement remain highly confidential.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted as an elder, a resident of a hospital or nursing home, or by a caretaker at home or in any other location, or if you merely suspect that abuse or assault has occurred, we suggest you contact our firm immediately for a free and confidential consultation with an attorney.
In the wake of former actor and comedian, Bill Cosby, being sentenced 3 to 10 years in a state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, there are still many unanswered questions for dozens of other victims.