CONTROVERSIA
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Nationality American — Law / victims of sexual abuse / Epstein litigation / banking / transparency

Sigrid McCawley

Justice, police and intelligence

Documented profile covering 13 controversies, including “2015: McCawley files Virginia Giuffre's defamation action against Ghislaine Maxwell” and “April–May 2017: Maxwell fails to obtain summary judgment and the Giuffre–Maxwell case is settled”.

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Profile No. 1548 · Updated on 12 October 2026

13Documented controversies+ 2 background events
18Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

October 2025–February 2026

2025–2026: Bank of America / BNY Mellon — judicial criticism of pleadings followed by mixed procedural outcome

Civil / administrative proceedings

McCawley, Edwards and their team sue Bank of America and BNY Mellon. After requiring greater specificity in the pleadings, Judge Rakoff dismisses the entire BNY case with prejudice and four claims against Bank of America, while allowing two claims against the latter to proceed.

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York / JustiaDoe v. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation docketCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ReutersBank of America's $72.5 million settlement with Epstein accusers wins preliminary approvalNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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02

27 August 2026

August 2026: final approval of the $72.5 million Bank of America settlement

No legal proceedings

Judge Rakoff grants final approval to the 72.5 million dollar settlement in the Bank of America action, following the motion to dismiss and preliminary approval stages.

State of the evidence
Settlement

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Reuters via Investing.comCourt approves Bank of America's $72.5 million settlement with Epstein accusersNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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03

8 January–28 May 2025

2025: most and then all Button claims dismissed; case dismissed with prejudice

Civil / administrative proceedings

In January 2025, the court dismisses a substantial proportion of the claims, some with prejudice and others with leave to amend. In May, the judge concludes that further amendment would be futile and dismisses the entire case with prejudice.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court SD Florida / JustiaButton et al v. McCawley — January 8, 2025 orderCourt decisionVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    U.S. District Court SD Florida / Counsel Stack mirrorButton v. McCawley — May 28, 2025 dismissal with prejudiceCourt decisionHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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04

August–December 2025

2025: advocacy for unsealing Maxwell grand jury documents with protections for victims

Civil / administrative proceedings

On behalf of survivors, McCawley argues that the public has a legitimate interest in understanding the network's extent and institutional failures, while requesting protection of victims' identities and sensitive information.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ReutersEpstein partner Maxwell opposes release of her grand jury materialsNews agencyVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ReutersUS judge clears Justice Department to release Epstein grand jury transcriptsNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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05

5 August 2024

2024: judge allows victims to pursue certain claims against Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn

Civil / administrative proceedings

McCawley represents victims in an action against Epstein's former advisers and estate executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn. The judge allows certain claims to proceed.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ReutersTwo of Jeffrey Epstein's close advisers can face victims' claimsNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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06

May–July 2024

2024: Dusty and Mitchell Taylor Button personally sue McCawley for defamation over statements made as a lawyer

Civil / administrative proceedings

The Buttons bring an action against McCawley in Florida, accusing her of communicating and publishing false and defamatory statements in connection with another case in which she represents dancers alleging sexual abuse.

State of the evidence
Allegations
Attribution
Accused

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court SD Florida / JustiaButton et al v. McCawley — January 8, 2025 orderCourt decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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07

June–November 2023

2023: McCawley participates in the $290 million JPMorgan settlement for Epstein's victims

Civil / administrative proceedings

McCawley is among the lawyers representing the class of victims in the 290 million dollar settlement with JPMorgan.

State of the evidence
Settlement
Attribution
Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ReutersJPMorgan settles with Jeffrey Epstein victims for $290 millionNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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08

May–October 2023

2023: $75 million Deutsche Bank settlement

Civil / administrative proceedings

In a separate action concerning banking services provided to Epstein, McCawley and the claimants' legal team secure a 75 million dollar settlement with Deutsche Bank.

State of the evidence
Settlement
Attribution
Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ReutersUS judge approves Deutsche Bank $75 million settlement with Epstein accusersNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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09

August 2021–February 2022

2021–2022: McCawley represents Virginia Giuffre in the civil action against Prince Andrew

Civil / administrative proceedings

McCawley is among Giuffre's lawyers in the civil action filed in New York against Prince Andrew for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Andrew denies the allegations.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court SDNY / Midpage mirrorGiuffre v. Prince Andrew case recordCourt recordHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Reuters via Investing.comPrince Andrew settles lawsuit by sex abuse accuser Virginia GiuffreNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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10

15 February 2022

February 2022: Giuffre–Prince Andrew settlement, with undisclosed payment and announced donation to a victims' charity

Civil / administrative proceedings

The parties announce an agreement ending the action. The principal amount is not made public; Andrew notably announces a substantial contribution to Giuffre's organisation dedicated to victims' rights.

State of the evidence
Settlement

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Reuters via Investing.comPrince Andrew settles lawsuit by sex abuse accuser Virginia GiuffreNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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11

2019–2021

2019–2021: legal battle to progressively unseal Giuffre–Maxwell documents

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following interventions by media organisations and third parties, McCawley represents Giuffre in the lengthy process of reviewing sealed records. The appellate court orders an individualised review, and numerous documents are subsequently made public with redactions.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court SDNY / JustiaGiuffre v. Maxwell docket — unsealing litigationCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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12

September 2015–2017

2015: McCawley files Virginia Giuffre's defamation action against Ghislaine Maxwell

Civil / administrative proceedings

Sigrid McCawley is one of Virginia Giuffre's principal lawyers in the defamation action against Ghislaine Maxwell. The case becomes a major vehicle for discovery concerning Epstein, Maxwell and numerous witnesses.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York / JustiaGiuffre v. Maxwell docketCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    U.S. District Court SDNY / JustiaGiuffre v. Maxwell, Document 872 — summary judgment deniedCourt decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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13

27 April–25 May 2017

April–May 2017: Maxwell fails to obtain summary judgment and the Giuffre–Maxwell case is settled

Civil / administrative proceedings

A judge denies Maxwell's motion for summary judgment, finding that factual questions remain to be tried. A few weeks later, Giuffre and Maxwell reach a confidential settlement and the action is dismissed with prejudice.

State of the evidence
Settlement

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court SDNY / JustiaGiuffre v. Maxwell, Document 872 — summary judgment deniedCourt decisionVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    U.S. District Court / Courthouse News archiveGiuffre v. Maxwell — joint stipulation for dismissal following settlementCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 12 September 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

  1. 4 February 2026–2026

    2026: McCawley awarded $11,740 in anti-SLAPP costs; Buttons appeal

    The court finds that the action was without merit and primarily related to the exercise of free speech on a public issue, then awards McCawley 11,740 dollars in costs. The Buttons file appeals before the Eleventh Circuit, including a new case in March 2026.

    Sources · 2
    1. U.S. District Court SD Florida / Justia — Button et al v. McCawley — February 4, 2026 order awarding attorneys' fees
    2. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Justia — Mitchell Button, et al v. Sigrid McCawley, No. 26-10773
  2. 3 March 2026 ; approbation finale programmée après la date de vérification

    March 2026: preliminary $35 million settlement with Epstein estate, Indyke and Kahn

    The judge grants preliminary approval to a 35 million dollar settlement intended to resolve the action against Epstein's estate, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn.

    Sources · 1
    1. Reuters — Epstein estate's $35 million settlement with accusers wins preliminary judge approval

III. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (6)
  1. Bank of America2 documented references
  2. Virginia Giuffre2 documented references
  3. Darren Indyke1 documented reference
  4. Deutsche Bank1 documented reference
  5. Ghislaine Maxwell1 documented reference
  6. Richard Kahn1 documented reference

IV. Has something changed?

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