A special fund has been carved into the late Jeffrey Epstein's estate to compensate his victims.
The disgraced billionaire, who died by suicide in his jail cell last year, was in custody on federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. The case was still pending at the time of his death.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring an underage girl for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute in Florida. Despite federal officials having evidence from 36 girls, some as young as 14 years old, after less than 13 months in jail he was released for a year of probation on house arrest.
A Virgin Islands judge has this week approved a deal to set up a fund to compensate his victims, with his estate estimated to be worth around USD$630 million (AUD$914.5 million/£507 million).
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Dozens of women who allege they were sexual victims of the financier will be able to get a cut of that enormous wealth.
However, Jordana H Feldman, the fund's administrator, said there are many victims who are hesitant about applying for a cut due to privacy concerns.
Ms Feldman added that there should be more than enough money to spread across the alleged victims, but insisted: "If we need to get more money, I will certainly go to the estate and see what can be done about liquidating other assets."
She believes there could be well over 70 women apply for the compensation.
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Brad Edwards, an attorney for numerous victims of Mr Epstein's victims, said that this could set a precedent for cases in the future.
"We have confidence that the program will be the most successful of its kind," he said. "Of course, if any victim is not satisfied with the program, she is free to pursue her remedy though litigation."
Dozens of lawsuits were levelled against the Epstein estate after he was found dead inside his jail cell.
Women who want to apply for the Epstein Victims' Compensation Program will have nine months to submit an application.
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The compensation fund is similar to the ones established to compensate the victims of the Roman Catholic Church clergy as well as the families of the people who died in the September 11 terror attacks.
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