Epstein’s Accountant Claims No Knowledge Of Abuse Or Trafficking, But Expresses Regret

Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accountant, testified before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, claiming he had no knowledge of the financier’s notorious criminal activities, including sexual abuse and trafficking. Kahn’s statements were made in his opening remarks, which were obtained by ABC News, and in which he denied seeing any “red flags” in Epstein’s finances that would have signaled his involvement in criminal activity.

Kahn, who served as Epstein’s accountant for over a decade and as co-executor of his estate following Epstein’s death, told lawmakers that his interactions with Epstein were strictly professional. “While Epstein was alive, I never observed any sexual abuse or trafficking of women and never received a complaint either by one of Epstein’s victims or anyone else of such abuse or trafficking,” Kahn said.

He admitted that Epstein did, however, give “gifts” to both men and women, although he downplayed these gifts as a “very small fraction” of Epstein’s spending. Kahn emphasized that he did not see these actions as indicative of the illicit activities Epstein was later accused of.

Regarding Epstein’s 2006 arrest, Kahn explained that Epstein had downplayed the charges to him, claiming it was a “mistake” and that he didn’t know the girls involved were underage. At the time, Kahn believed him. “Had I known the truth, I would have quit work immediately,” Kahn said, expressing regret for not recognizing the signs earlier.

Kahn continued, “I was not aware of the nature or extent of Epstein’s abuse of so many women until after Epstein’s death. However, it pains me to think, and I deeply regret, that I may have unknowingly assisted Epstein in any way.”

Legal Scrutiny of Epstein’s Financial Practices

Kahn’s testimony is central to understanding how Epstein’s elaborate financial network may have supported his criminal activities. Some of Epstein’s victims have claimed that Kahn, along with other key figures in Epstein’s inner circle, played a role in creating the “complex financial infrastructure” that facilitated his illegal operations.

Kahn has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal actions. In his closed-door deposition, Kahn described his role in Epstein’s financial affairs, which included overseeing his business dealings and financial accounts. The deposition, a rare glimpse into Epstein’s financial operations, could provide further insights into how Epstein funded his lavish lifestyle while hiding his crimes.

The U.S. Department of Justice released new documents earlier this year, revealing Kahn’s role in managing Epstein’s finances, including handling payments from Epstein for his services, which reportedly totaled over $10 million between 2011 and 2019.

Epstein Estate Lawsuit and Financial Settlements

Kahn, along with his co-executor Darren Indyke, has faced ongoing legal challenges related to Epstein’s estate. Last month, the two men agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by Epstein’s victims for at least $25 million, although they did so without admitting any wrongdoing. The settlement must still be approved by a federal judge.

The lawsuit claims that Kahn and Indyke were “personally essential” to Epstein’s operation, alleging that they helped facilitate his illegal activities by managing his bank accounts, making cash withdrawals, and establishing shell companies used to traffic women. Furthermore, the lawsuit asserts that Kahn and Indyke helped Epstein arrange at least three “sham marriages” to obtain immigration status for some of Epstein’s victims.

In a statement regarding the settlement, Kahn’s attorney, Dan Weiner, reiterated that neither Kahn nor Indyke has ever been accused of sexual abuse or of witnessing Epstein’s crimes. “Not a single woman has ever accused either man of committing sexual abuse or witnessing sexual abuse,” said Weiner, emphasizing that the settlement does not reflect an admission of guilt by Kahn or Indyke.

Congressional Scrutiny and Calls for Accountability

Kahn’s testimony has drawn renewed attention to the role of Epstein’s inner circle in both his personal and professional life. Lawmakers have raised concerns over why Kahn and Indyke were not questioned by law enforcement during the investigations into Epstein’s abuse. A group of Democratic Senators called out the Department of Justice and FBI for not properly investigating Kahn and Indyke, questioning the agencies’ failure to probe these key figures despite their close association with Epstein.

The investigation into Epstein’s estate continues, with Congress seeking to understand how Epstein’s network operated and how much Kahn and Indyke knew about his criminal activities. As lawmakers press for accountability, the release of Kahn’s deposition may shed light on the full extent of Epstein’s financial operations and the people who enabled them.

Conclusion

Kahn’s testimony before Congress paints a picture of an individual who, while not directly involved in Epstein’s criminal activities, may have inadvertently facilitated them. As lawmakers continue to investigate Epstein’s financial dealings and his network of enablers, the settlement of lawsuits and the ongoing scrutiny of Kahn and Indyke highlight the continuing efforts to bring those responsible for Epstein’s abuse to justice.