Epstein's Lawyer Claims Ignorance During House Oversight Testimony

Fri Mar 20 2026 00:09:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Darren Indyke, longtime attorney for Jeffrey Epstein, testified before a House committee, denying prior knowledge of Epstein's sexual abuse activities, amidst increasing scrutiny of Epstein's network.

In a recent testimony to the House Oversight Committee, Darren Indyke, Jeffrey Epstein's former attorney, asserted that he was unaware of Epstein's sexual exploitation of underage girls. Despite Indyke’s claims, committee members expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and transparency from Epstein's associates. The investigation, initially bipartisan, has become increasingly fraught with political tension, as lawmakers from both parties grapple with the legacy of Epstein's crimes and the implications for prominent figures implicated in his social circle.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Darren Indyke, the longtime personal attorney of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, testified before a House Oversight Committee on Thursday, asserting that he was completely unaware of Epstein's trafficking and sexual abuse of underage girls at the time it was occurring.

Indyke, who had been Epstein's legal counsel for nearly two decades, strongly denied any knowledge of the alleged crimes, expressing that he would have ceased his association with Epstein had he been aware. This assertion aligns with the positions taken by other affiliates of Epstein who have also distanced themselves from accusations of complicity.

The committee’s investigation has seen similar testimonies from other associated figures such as Epstein's former accountant Richard Kahn and prominent client Les Wexner, all claiming ignorance until the allegations came to light publicly.

Frustration echoed among Democratic members of the committee, particularly regarding Indyke’s “defensive” demeanor during questioning. Lawmakers had hoped that as executors of Epstein’s estate, he and Kahn would shed light on the alleged abuses to foster accountability.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chair of the committee, remarked that every witness, including Indyke, professed ignorance prior to public revelations about Epstein's actions. He contrasted Indyke's claims of ignorance with the context of Epstein's previous guilty plea in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, suggesting a potential pattern of neglect.

As the inquiry progresses, both Indyke and Kahn have become embroiled in legal procedures surrounding Epstein's estate, which includes a proposed settlement of up to $35 million for survivors of his abuse—an agreement in which they did not admit any wrongdoing.

Democratic lawmakers continue to push for further documentation related to Epstein and his associates, while the investigation itself has become steeped in partisan conflict, especially as some probe uncorroborated allegations involving former President Donald Trump. This has led to accusations of political maneuvering overshadowing broader investigative goals.

As the House's inquiry into Epstein's legacy continues, tensions are anticipated to mount, particularly as calls for public hearings with abuse survivors receive heightened support from Democratic members.