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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 / 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 Bellaire
In the wake of billionaire Leon Black's defense of his $158 million payments to Jeffrey Epstein, Bellaire residents may wonder about the potential local implications of such high-profile relationships. As a community within the Houston area, Bellaire is home to numerous wealthy individuals and philanthropists who often engage with national and international figures. The fact that Black, a prominent investor, was deceived by Epstein's dual persona raises questions about the vetting processes in place for high-stakes financial and social relationships. Bellaire's own business and philanthropic communities may need to reexamine their protocols for evaluating partnerships and associations, ensuring that they are not inadvertently supporting or enabling questionable activities. As the city's residents navigate their own connections to the broader financial and social world, they must remain vigilant about the company they keep and the values they uphold.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC) . The Bellaire 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
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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 / ABC) and curated for The Bellaire readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK / ABC). To learn more about how The Bellaire selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Bellaire, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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