Jeffrey Epstein’s Former Accountant Says He Was Unaware of Sex Crimes

A former accountant of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein told US lawmakers that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities and expressed regret for assisting him financially during his career.

The testimony came from Richard Kahn, who appeared before the United States House Oversight Committee as part of an ongoing congressional investigation into Epstein’s financial network and the individuals who helped manage his wealth.

During a closed-door deposition, Kahn said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s sexual abuse or trafficking activities while working for him. He told lawmakers that he never witnessed misconduct nor received any complaints related to Epstein’s alleged crimes during the time he served as his accountant.

Richard Kahn worked as Epstein’s accountant beginning in 2005 and continued to maintain a close professional relationship with him until Epstein’s death in 2019. His testimony is considered significant because investigators are examining how Epstein managed his finances and whether his network of advisors helped facilitate or conceal illegal activities.

According to Kahn, his professional responsibilities primarily involved managing financial records and accounting matters for Epstein. He stated that the work focused on routine financial management and did not involve oversight of Epstein’s personal activities or interactions.

Epstein became the subject of global controversy after numerous allegations surfaced accusing him of operating a large-scale sex trafficking network involving underage girls. The accusations triggered multiple investigations and legal actions in the United States and other countries.

The financier was arrested in 2019 on federal charges related to sex trafficking. However, he died in custody while awaiting trial, leading to widespread scrutiny over his connections with powerful figures and the broader network that supported his operations.

Lawmakers have continued to investigate Epstein’s financial dealings to determine how his wealth was managed and whether professional advisors, banks or associates played a role in facilitating the movement of funds connected to his activities.

Kahn told the committee that he regrets having worked for Epstein, stating that if he had known about the crimes, he would never have continued the professional relationship. He emphasised that he had no prior knowledge of the abuse allegations during the years he handled accounting matters.

The congressional inquiry aims to uncover more details about Epstein’s financial structure, including how his money moved through various accounts and organisations. Investigators are also examining whether financial institutions or advisors overlooked warning signs that could have revealed illegal activity earlier.

The testimony highlights the ongoing effort by lawmakers to understand the scope of Epstein’s financial network and the individuals who were connected to his operations.

As the investigation continues, authorities hope to clarify how Epstein managed his wealth and whether any members of his professional circle had knowledge of or involvement in activities linked to his crimes.