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Deposition Transcripts · Segments · #9598
id
9598
deposition id
13
segment index
11
speaker
Page 12
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end seconds
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a Nobel Prize winner, Leon Botstein, who is head of Bard College, and numerous eminent scientists, as well as with many major financial institutions. I also knew him to possess a remarkable acumen about tax, insurance, and trust and estate matters. I paid Epstein for his bona fide advice on these matters in addition to helping to manage and improve the operation of my nascent family office. With the benefit of hindsight, I now know -- as does the world -- that Epstein was engaged in horrific, sordid activities. I feel terrible for Epstein's victims. I want to state clearly that I did not know about this nefarious activity until Epstein was charged with trafficking in July 2019. I did know that Epstein pleaded guilty in June 2008 to State charges relating to prostitution involving a minor. Epstein had told me that it was an isolated incident resulting from a fake ID. Five years after his conviction, I gave Epstein a second chance, as did many others. I wish I had not. With that context, let me state unequivocally that I have never abused a woman. I have never been with an underage woman. I have never engaged in sex trafficking. I have never paid Epstein for access to women. I was never blackmailed by Epstein. I was not involved with and had no knowledge of any of Epstein's heinous conduct. My background. I am almost 75 years old. I am a husband, a father, and a grandfather. I am proudly Jewish. My father was a rabbi before becoming a businessman. My mother was a schoolteacher and also an artist. My sister was a schoolteacher. From my family, I found much inspiration and resilience. These are things that I have shared with my children and now my grandchildren. I am also a business builder, an investor, an art connoisseur, and a philanthropist.