Penguins’ Ron Burkle among the names listed in Epstein’s case

Media outlets, including the Athletic, have confirmed that Pittsburgh Hockey minority owner Ron Burkle was among the names listed in newly unsealed court documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Here is how Rob Rossi and Meg Linehan worded the report from the documents in a defamation lawsuit filed against Ghislaine Maxwell, who procured young women for Epstein, by his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

“Court documents released Thursday said Burkle “has knowledge of (Epstein’s former girlfriend) Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual trafficking conduct.

"Burkle has not been charged in connection with the Epstein case.”

Burkle’s name was found in Epstein’s black book and on Epstein’s private log — a fact that became part of the public record after the millionaire was first convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from girls as young as 14.

Burkle took what were described as humanitarian trips to Africa on Epstein’s private 727 jet with former President Bill Clinton. During Clinton’s presidency, Burkle was a key Democratic fundraiser, and he once hired Clinton as an advisor at his private investment firm.

Following the trip, Burkle allegedly described Epstein as “creepy”.

According to Forbes, Burkle has a net worth of $3 billion. He owns a stake in the Penguins, along with stakes in scores of groceries, from A&P to Whole Foods Market. He was majority co-owner in Pittsburgh with former Penguins star Mario Lemieux from May 1999 through December 2021, when Fenway Sports Group purchased the team for a reported $950 million.

As the Athletic points out, Burkle has not been seen around the Penguins publicly since the sale was approved by the NHL Board of Governors, but he has attended Penguins games in Los Angeles since the sale.

Burkle did not respond to messages seeking comment through his investment firm, The Yucaipa Companies, and when reached by the Athletic, the Penguins declined to comment.

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