Leon Black, billionaire investor and former co‑founder of Apollo Global, failed to appear before the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and instead filed a lawsuit challenging the authority of the committee’s subpoenas.
The subpoenas ordered Black to provide non‑disclosure agreements he had signed with Epstein and to give an on‑camera deposition under oath. In court, Black’s attorney Susan Estrich argued that the request was “invalid” and would “expose women who value their privacy” who had entered into those agreements.
Black told the committee that he paid Epstein £120 m ($158 m) for wealth‑management services and claimed he did not know about Epstein’s “nefarious activity” until the financier was charged in 2019.
Estrich said Black’s lawsuit was a response to “an abuse of Congressional power” and noted the inquiry had shifted from seeking truth about Epstein to “trying to destroy Mr Black.”
Although Epstein’s files reference Black, there is no indication of wrongdoing on his part. Black has denied any misconduct and said he was “victim of extortion.”
The case also touches on a 2015 lawsuit by former Russian model Guzel Ganieva, who alleged abuse by Black. The lawsuit was dismissed after Black introduced an NDA and received $9 m ($6.6 m) in the years following the agreement.
Black departed Apollo Global Management in 2021, citing a toll on his health from relentless media scrutiny linked to his ties with Epstein.
