A Florida woman has admitted to defrauding a compensation fund established for victims of Jeffrey Epstein, securing approximately $750,000 through fraudulent claims. Jennifer Percival, who previously held a director position at Florida Atlantic University’s Centre for Autism & Related Disabilities, entered her guilty plea for wire fraud in a federal court in New York on 14 September.
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Court documents reveal that Percival initially applied to the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Fund in 2020 but was deemed ineligible. Unperturbed by this rejection, she proceeded to submit a claim in 2024 to a separate fund worth $290 million set up by JPMorgan Chase. This fund aimed to resolve a lawsuit concerning the bank’s involvement in facilitating Epstein’s sexual abuse.
During her plea hearing, Percival described how she submitted a falsified rejection letter from the Epstein estate to support her claim. She claimed to have received $500,000 in previous compensation, which was instrumental in her gaining access to the JPMorgan settlement fund. It was from this fund that she ultimately received around $750,000.
The investigation into Percival’s activities took a serious turn when FBI agents interviewed her in November 2025. During this meeting, she continued to assert that she had obtained funds from the Epstein estate and claimed she had successfully appealed the initial denial of her application. Furthermore, she confessed to instructing her attorney to submit altered emails in an attempt to secure deferred prosecution from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Accompanying her to court on the day of her plea was a restitution cheque amounting to $776,031, as noted by her attorney, Michael Bloch. However, while she did confess to committing fraud, Percival avoided directly addressing any personal claims of victimisation related to Epstein himself, leaving uncertainty about her connection to the notorious financier.
Jennifer Percival is a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, and her recent role at the university has raised questions about her current employment status, as inquiries made to Florida Atlantic University have not yet received a response. Following her plea, she was released from custody on a bond of $50,000 while awaiting her sentencing, although a date for this has not yet been established.
This case draws attention not only due to the sums involved but also because it highlights the ongoing ripple effects following Epstein’s notorious criminal activities and the subsequent establishment of victim compensation funds. The details also underscore the lengths to which some individuals might go to exploit such systems, raising concerns about oversight and safeguarding measures in place to protect these funds.
As investigations and related legal proceedings continue, it is clear that this scandal serves as a significant chapter in the broader narrative surrounding Epstein’s legacy and its aftermath. The case not only illustrates the challenges faced by authorities in addressing fraud but also underlines the importance of ensuring that funds intended for genuine victims are safeguarded against fraudulent claims.