local
Billionaire Leon Black defends $158M paid to Epstein: 'I knew Jekyll. I didn't know Hyde'
By AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC)
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Billionaire investor Leon Black said Friday that Jeffrey Epstein deceived him during a yearslong relationship in which he paid the disgraced financier $158 million.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The revelation that billionaire Leon Black paid Jeffrey Epstein $158 million raises questions about the due diligence of wealthy investors in the Houston area, where high-net-worth individuals often navigate complex financial relationships. As a community with a strong presence of wealthy individuals and philanthropists, Pearland residents may wonder how such a large sum could be paid to someone with a hidden history of illicit activities. The fact that Black claims to have been deceived by Epstein suggests that even savvy investors can be vulnerable to deception, highlighting the need for rigorous background checks and transparency in financial dealings. This incident may prompt local investors and philanthropists to reexamine their own relationships and financial transactions, ensuring that their wealth is not being used to support illicit activities. The Pearland community will likely be watching to see if any further revelations emerge about Epstein's connections to the Houston area.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Pearland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Billionaire investor Leon Black said Friday that Jeffrey Epstein deceived him during a yearslong relationship in which he paid the disgraced financier $158 million.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter