Epstein Accountant’s Closed-Door Testimony Reveals Settlement to Trump Accuser – White House Denounces as “Politically Motivated Smear”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 12, 2026 – In a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee on March 11, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accountant, Richard Kahn, confirmed that the late financier’s estate paid a settlement to a woman who had accused both Epstein and President Donald Trump of sexual misconduct. The revelation, leaked by Democratic committee members shortly after the session, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with the White House labeling it a “fabricated and desperate smear” designed to distract from pressing national issues.
Kahn, who managed Epstein’s finances for over a decade and served as co-executor of his estate, testified that he had “never seen any financial transactions” between Epstein and Trump or his family. However, when pressed on payouts from the estate’s victim compensation fund, Kahn acknowledged a payment to an unnamed woman who had made allegations against Trump. “We wanted to confirm that certain accusers had received settlements, and he confirmed that,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told reporters after the hearing. Khanna declined to specify the amount or timing of the payout, citing the closed nature of the deposition, but suggested it lent “validity” to the woman’s claims against Epstein, if not necessarily Trump.
The testimony was part of the Oversight Committee’s ongoing probe into Epstein’s vast wealth and business ties, which has already uncovered significant payments from figures like Les Wexner, Glenn Dubin, Steven Sinofsky, Leon Black, and the Rothschild family. Kahn testified that Epstein’s fortune, estimated at over $600 million at his death in 2019, was built through tax advising and financial planning for ultra-wealthy clients, with at least 64 business entities under his control. He reiterated that he was unaware of Epstein’s sex-trafficking activities and had never witnessed any abuse.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt swiftly denounced the revelations as “utterly baseless” and a “recycled hoax.” In a briefing, she emphasized that Trump has “strongly denied any wrongdoing in his limited ties to Epstein” and pointed out that Kahn explicitly stated he had never seen Trump engage in improper conduct. “This is political warfare at its ugliest, timed to distract from real achievements,” Leavitt said, adding that the administration would not dignify the claims with further response.
The accuser in question remains unnamed in public statements, but sources familiar with the matter suggest it refers to a woman who filed a 2016 lawsuit under the pseudonym “Katie Johnson,” alleging sexual assault by both Epstein and Trump at a 1994 party. The suit was withdrawn amid threats and lack of evidence, and no criminal charges were ever filed. Kahn’s confirmation of a payout from Epstein’s estate—established after his 2019 suicide to compensate victims—marks the first public acknowledgment of any financial link to the woman’s claims.
Legal experts caution that the settlement does not imply guilt. “Payouts from the fund were made to many individuals based on varying levels of involvement,” said Lisa Bloom, an attorney representing Epstein survivors. “It validates that the estate recognized her as a victim of Epstein, but it doesn’t directly implicate Trump.” Bloom called for full transparency on all estate settlements, noting that over $121 million has been distributed to more than 135 women since 2019.
The Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), has been subpoenaing Epstein-related records for months, including from banks and Treasury. Comer told reporters after the hearing that Kahn had “never seen Trump doing anything wrong” and confirmed no financial ties. Democrats like Khanna argue the testimony raises questions about why an accuser of the president received estate funds.
The revelations come amid Trump’s second term, where his administration has faced scrutiny over past Epstein connections, including 26 flights on Epstein’s jet and social events at Mar-a-Lago. Trump has consistently denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, calling him a “fixture in Palm Beach” but insisting he cut ties in 2004 after a real-estate dispute.
As more Epstein files are slated for release, the Kahn testimony has amplified calls for an independent special counsel to review all estate payouts and financial links. Whether it leads to new investigations or fades amid partisan battles remains to be seen. For now, the White House’s firm denials have only fueled the debate over what hidden transactions may still lurk in Epstein’s ledgers.
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