Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
March 13 , 2026
Washington — A federal judge on Thursday ruled that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will not be required to testify in ongoing court proceedings related to the Jeffrey Epstein estate, dismissing a subpoena issued earlier this month by attorneys representing several civil plaintiffs.
Judge Marianne Keller of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York described the subpoena as “unsubstantiated and overly broad,” stating in her written decision that the defense had “not demonstrated a direct or relevant connection between Chair Powell’s official duties and the matters under litigation.”
The subpoena, filed March 2, sought Powell’s testimony regarding alleged financial institutions’ oversight procedures tied to Epstein’s network of offshore accounts. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that senior monetary officials might offer insight into the flow of funds and regulatory failures preceding Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
Legal experts characterized the effort as unusual, noting that federal officials at Powell’s level are rarely compelled to testify in private civil cases. “The court is generally protective of high-ranking officials unless there’s clear evidence they possess unique, firsthand information,” said Laura Benson, a Georgetown University law professor specializing in administrative law.
The Federal Reserve and its legal counsel declined to comment on the ruling but reiterated that Powell had no personal or professional involvement with Epstein or his associates.
Thursday’s decision streamlines what has become an increasingly sprawling set of civil cases surrounding Epstein’s estate, now managed by independent trustees and still under federal review for remaining financial obligations to victims.
Judge Keller’s order leaves open the possibility that other financial officials may be called if further documentation shows direct involvement. A subsequent status conference in the case is scheduled for April 7.
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