Share and Follow
In Washington, House lawmakers delved into the intricate financial network of Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday, deposing his former accountant in a bid to unravel his ties with some of the globe’s wealthiest figures. The House Oversight Committee is keen to understand the depth and breadth of Epstein’s connections and how they might have facilitated his illicit activities.
Richard Kahn, who worked intimately with Epstein over many years and currently acts as an executor of his estate, participated in the private deposition on Capitol Hill. In his testimony, Kahn claimed he had no firsthand knowledge of Epstein’s sexual misconduct but offered insights into the financial mechanisms that boosted Epstein’s fortunes. According to Kahn, Epstein amassed hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades, forging relationships with influential and powerful individuals worldwide.
Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, noted that Kahn believed Epstein’s wealth originated from his roles as a tax advisor and financial planner. Lawmakers argue that a comprehensive understanding of Epstein’s financial dealings could shed light on how he managed to evade justice while perpetrating grave offenses, including the trafficking and abuse of underage girls.
“Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operations could not have thrived without Richard Kahn, who was instrumental in managing Epstein’s finances, authorizing payments, and even disbursing funds to victims and survivors,” stated Rep. James Walkinshaw, a Democrat from Virginia. He added that Kahn was unable to recall specifics about several transactions and communications during questioning.
Kahn has consistently maintained that he was not aware of Epstein’s sexual misconduct and never encountered any of his victims.
Comer, R-Ky., also said that lawmakers confirmed during the deposition that Epstein received significant amounts of money from former retail shopping chain executive Les Wexner, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, tech entrepreneur Steven Sinofsky, investor Leon Black and the Rothschilds, a wealthy banking family.
None of those people have been accused of wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, but Democrats on the committee argued that anyone with ties to the wealthy financier should be scrutinized. Wexner was deposed by the committee last month, and Comer has also called on Black, among several others, to appear for transcribed interviews.
Kahn also told lawmakers that Epstein had financial ties to Ehud Barak, who was the prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001, according to Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam. Barak has not been accused of wrongdoing and has said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.
Comer also said Wednesday that the committee has reviewed over 40,000 documents that it subpoenaed from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. Epstein was connected to at least 64 business entities, according to Comer.
Republican President Donald Trump has strongly denied any wrongdoing in his own ties to Epstein, and Comer said that Kahn had never seen any financial transactions between Epstein and Trump. Comer said that Kahn is the latest witness to testify that they had never seen Trump doing anything wrong with Epstein.
“The investigation’s about getting the truth to the American people, trying to figure out how the government failed, answer questions we all have,” Comer said.