NEW YORK _ Nine alleged victims have joined the growing list of women suing the estate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in jail over the summer while awaiting a trial on sex trafficking charges.
The locations of the alleged assaults read like a travel brochure: New York City, Palm Beach, Fla., New Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and various other places.
The sexual abuse suffered includes fondling, molestation and rape, and began as early as 1985 and involved girls as young as 13, according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
"These women are very brave and courageous for coming forward. Today, they say, 'Enough is enough and we will no longer be silenced,' " said their lawyer, Jordan Merson. "These women have lifelong trauma as a result of what Epstein did to them and now they have a chance at justice."
Merson said the plaintiffs have suffered severe various mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and attempted suicide.
Merson said called on the executors of Epstein's estate to "turn over the full amount of his estate to allow these women to be justly and fully compensated for all of their serious injuries."
Epstein's estate is valued at more than $577 million.
Epstein, 66, died from an apparent suicide five weeks after his arrest on federal charges that he abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls from at least 2002 to 2005.
He had pleaded not guilty.
Last month, U.S. Attorney General Wiliam Barr said Epstein's suicide was a "perfect storm of screw-ups."
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