New York, New York — A Florida academic pleaded guilty Monday to falsifying records and fraudulently obtaining $750,000 from a compensation fund established for victims of Jeffrey Epstein, federal prosecutors said.
Jennifer Percival, 46, director of Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, admitted that she fabricated documents after an earlier claim to the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program was rejected in 2020.
According to prosecutors, Percival applied in 2024 to a separate $290 million compensation fund created as part of JPMorgan Chase’s settlement with Epstein victims. To qualify, she falsely claimed that Epstein’s estate had previously approved her for $500,000 and altered the rejection letter to support that assertion.
Percival also fabricated emails and other records to reinforce the claim. Based on the false documentation, the JPMorgan fund awarded her $750,000. When the FBI began investigating in 2025, authorities said Percival continued the deception by providing additional false emails to a federal prosecutor.
At Monday’s plea hearing, Percival acknowledged that the goal of her actions was to obtain money, which she said provided “a sense of validation.” She brought a check for $776,031 to court to cover restitution and related costs.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Percival faces an estimated three to four years in prison, although the judge is not required to follow that recommendation. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Her attorney is expected to seek leniency based partly on Percival’s academic career and work in disability research.
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