Epstein's Longtime Accountant Richard Kahn Testifies He 'Was Not Aware' of Sex Crimes

Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accountant and co-executor of his estate, gave a closed-door deposition to the Republican-led House Oversight Committee as investigators probed Epstein’s finances.

“By STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers were digging into Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling financial portfolio Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world’s wealthiest men”

Boston Herald

CNN reported that "Richard Kahn is behind closed doors for a deposition as the Republican-led panel seeks answers on Epstein’s finances," while NPR noted Kahn "testified before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door deposition Wednesday, telling lawmakers that he was 'not aware' of Epstein's crimes and regrets that he may have 'unknowingly assisted Epstein in any way.'"

Boston Herald

The Washington Examiner added background on Kahn’s tenure, saying "Kahn began working as Epstein’s in-house accountant in the mid-2000s and remained in that role until Epstein’s arrest and death."

Kahn repeatedly said he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct and expressed regret at possibly having "unknowingly assisted" him, but his testimony drew skepticism from some lawmakers.

NPR quoted Kahn’s prepared remarks that while Epstein was alive he "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."

CNN

CNN reported House Oversight Chair James Comer saying Kahn was "answering every question thus far," and the Washington Examiner noted that "Kahn and Indyke have denied any wrongdoing."

Kahn's financial role and his place in Epstein’s estate were central to the committee’s questions: two days before Epstein died he made Kahn a co-executor and beneficiary of the estate, and DOJ and other records show Kahn managed many routine and substantial financial tasks.

“Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein’s former accountant, testified Wednesday to the House Oversight Committee, the latest person to talk about his ties to the deceased sex offender in a closed-door deposition”

MS NOW

NPR reported that "Two days before his death, Epstein made Kahn a co-executor of his estate, along with Darren Indyke. Both are named as beneficiaries of Epstein's estate."

CNN also referenced Kahn’s role as a co-executor, and the Washington Examiner cited Justice Department documents showing he "oversaw a range of financial matters for Epstein, including coordinating wire transfers, signing checks, managing taxes, and distributing payments to associates," and that "According to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Virgin Islands, Epstein paid Kahn more than $10 million for his services between 2011 and 2019."

The committee deployed subpoenas, reviewed tens of thousands of documents, and is probing suspicious banking activity as it seeks to map Epstein’s money flows.

CNN wrote that "The committee had been digging into those finances for months ahead of the interview through subpoenas to banks and visits to the Treasury Department," and that staff "has reviewed approximately 44,000 financial documents and counting."

NPR

CNN also noted that JPMorgan "reported to US authorities more than $1 billion in transactions it viewed as suspicious from October 2003 until July 2019."

The Washington Examiner supplied related context about the DOJ documents showing Kahn’s involvement in transfers, tuition and other payments tied to Epstein’s network.

Some lawmakers and advocates rejected Kahn’s denials and pressed for more accountability; Democrats and victims’ attorneys have argued that Epstein’s inner circle helped enable his abuses and the committee plans further depositions.

“That figure has declined sharply as settlements have been paid to victims”

Washington Examiner

CNN quoted Democratic Rep. James Walkinshaw saying, "I do not find it credible that he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes."

Washington Examiner

The Washington Examiner reported committee Democrats wrote on social media that "Kahn was a central facilitator of Epstein’s ability to exploit girls and women," and noted that "Kahn is the first of Epstein’s two estate co-executors to testify before the committee. Indyke is scheduled to appear for a deposition on March 19."

NPR’s coverage captured Kahn’s contrition about possibly having "unknowingly assisted Epstein in any way," reflecting competing interpretations of his testimony.