Leon Black Subpoenaed by House Oversight Committee
Billionaire investor Leon Black has been subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee regarding his connections with the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
This decision followed Black’s refusal to address lawmakers’ inquiries about potential non-disclosure agreements related to women associated with Epstein.
He is expected to return to Congress for videotaped testimony on July 16, with one subpoena requesting information about a possible NDA.
“We need a non-disclosure agreement to proceed with the investigation,” stated Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), highlighting the committee’s concerns regarding these agreements for “female” potential Epstein victims.
Comer added, “We want to uncover whether Epstein was involved in drafting these NDAs or in financially supporting the women for them. We’re looking into every aspect of these agreements.”
Previously, Black told the committee during a private deposition that he had no involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking operations.
Black’s attorney voiced strong disapproval of the subpoena, claiming, “Mr. Black voluntarily came forward to assist the committee. This appears to be nothing more than a staged political maneuver. Epstein is not connected to any NDA, regardless of whether it exists.”
She further mentioned, “The committee hasn’t inquired about any legitimate payments to Mr. Epstein related to professional services for tax or estate matters.”
Black, a prominent client of Epstein, alleged he was deceived by the financier hired for tax assistance. “I have never abused a woman,” he emphasized. “I have never dated an underage woman nor participated in sex trafficking.”
He also denied having paid Epstein for access to specific women and insisted he was never threatened.
“I had no involvement or knowledge of Epstein’s heinous acts,” he asserted.
Valued at approximately $13.5 billion according to Forbes, Black reportedly paid Epstein $158 million over a five-year period for estate and tax planning services. He originally expected to pay significantly less, claiming Epstein assured him the fee would be tax deductible.
He indicated that he anticipated the net cost was around $95 million, while it turned out to be $158 million, acknowledging that Epstein did manage to solve a substantial estate issue that other lawyers could not.
In 2018, he terminated his relationship with Epstein after disputes regarding fees and an unpaid $30 million loan. Black stepped down as CEO of Apollo in 2021, with Mark Rowan now at the helm.
In his testimony, Black pointed to an inquiry conducted by the law firm Dechert, which found no evidence linking him to Epstein’s criminal activities despite the substantial payments made. Dechert reportedly reviewed 60,000 documents and interviewed 20 individuals over three months.
Black claimed to be the only individual who commissioned a public investigation into Epstein’s background.
He recounted meeting Epstein in the mid-1990s and providing him another chance after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. “I knew Jekyll,” he stated. “I didn’t know about Hyde.”
Black stated he was unaware of Epstein’s sex trafficking of minors until the latter’s indictment in July 2019.
Allegations from the Justice Department accused Epstein of creating a vast network of young girls for sexual exploitation between 2002 and 2005. Recent FBI files have intensified scrutiny on Epstein’s associations with influential figures in finance, politics, and media.
One alleged victim mentioned to investigators in 2019 that Epstein instructed Black and others to give him massages. However, prosecutors in New York investigated the claims and opted against filing charges.
Black criticized three civil lawsuits filed by the Wigdor law firm, calling them “baseless” and “manufactured.” The first two lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice, while the third saw a federal judge sanctioning the plaintiff and their attorneys last month for providing false evidence.
In prepared remarks, Black stated, “As a result of these falsehoods, I’ve received death threats, and my family feels unsafe. For the first time, I’ve had to employ a bodyguard.”
Before the hearing began, Comer expressed belief that this could represent a significant moment in the committee’s ongoing investigation into Epstein.
He remarked, “This testimony could be crucial as we seek answers.” The committee is exploring how the federal government managed the associates of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a lengthy sentence for her role in his crimes.
Epstein ended his life in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial, while Maxwell remains incarcerated for various charges including sex trafficking of minors.
Committee members have previously interviewed notable figures such as former President Bill Clinton and billionaire Bill Gates, both of whom denied any wrongdoing. Black and his family hold about 14% ownership of Apollo.
Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the leading Democrat on the oversight committee, supported the decision to subpoena Black, stating, “There are numerous allegations of actual abuse against Mr. Black by women and survivors, and it’s important to investigate those connections.”
