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Billionaire Leon Black defends $158M paid to Epstein: 'I knew Jekyll. I didn't know Hyde'
By AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
· 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 Piney Point
The recent comments from billionaire Leon Black about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein have raised questions among local residents in Piney Point Village , where many wealthy investors and business leaders reside. The fact that Black paid Epstein $158 million over the course of their yearslong relationship is particularly striking, given the scrutiny that Epstein's financial dealings have faced. As a community with a high concentration of affluent individuals, Piney Point Village may be home to others who had dealings with Epstein, and Black's defense of his payments may prompt them to reexamine their own relationships with the disgraced financier. Furthermore, the revelation may also lead to increased scrutiny of local philanthropic efforts and charitable organizations, as some may wonder whether Epstein's influence extended to these areas as well.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC13 Houston (KTRK) . The Piney Point 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) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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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) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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