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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 Sugar Land News
The revelation that billionaire Leon Black paid Jeffrey Epstein $158 million raises questions about the potential local implications of their relationship. As a prominent figure in the financial world, Black's connections to the Houston area, where Sugar Land is located, may warrant further scrutiny. The fact that Black claims to have been deceived by Epstein's true nature suggests that others in the community may have also been unaware of Epstein's actions. This situation may prompt local leaders and organizations to reexamine their own relationships and dealings with individuals who have been accused of wrongdoing. In the coming days, it will be worth watching to see if any local entities or individuals come forward to disclose their own interactions with Epstein or Black, and how the community responds to these new developments. The potential fallout from this situation could have significant consequences for the local business and philanthropic communities.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC13 Houston (KTRK) . Sugar Land News 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 Sugar Land News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK). To learn more about how Sugar Land News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Sugar Land News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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