WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Oversight Committee issued two subpoenas to billionaire financier Leon Black on Friday, following an abrupt exit from a closed-door deposition regarding his longstanding financial ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Black, the co-founder and former CEO of Apollo Global Management, appeared before the committee as part of an ongoing investigation into the network of influence surrounding Epstein. Tensions escalated when Black refused to answer questions regarding his use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), leading the committee to serve him with subpoenas for both the production of those documents and for an on-camera deposition under oath scheduled for July 16.
The Nature of the Payments
Central to the committee’s inquiry is the approximately $158 million Black paid to Epstein between 2012 and 2017. While Black has characterized these payments as compensation for “bona fide tax, estate planning and other related services,” lawmakers have raised concerns that these funds may have been used to facilitate Epstein’s activities or to secure silence from accusers. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has previously suggested that Epstein may have acted as a middleman for Black to facilitate payments to women on his behalf.
Black maintained during the hearing that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct until his 2019 arrest. “I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde,” Black told investigators. “I gave Epstein a second chance, as did many others. I wish I had not.”
Political Standoff
The proceedings quickly turned adversarial. Black’s legal counsel, Susan Estrich, labeled the committee’s decision to issue subpoenas as a “planned political stunt,” arguing that the billionaire had already provided necessary testimony. Conversely, Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) underscored the necessity of the subpoenas, stating, “This is a result of refusing to answer specific questions.”
The inquiry has drawn scrutiny toward the use of NDAs in settling personal disputes. Records indicate that Black utilized such agreements in the past, including a 2015 arrangement with a former associate, Guzel Ganieva, to secure confidentiality. Black has consistently denied allegations of sexual misconduct, characterizing past lawsuits as extortion attempts.
Broader Implications
Black is the 16th high-profile individual to testify before the committee. As the investigation continues, lawmakers remain focused on whether the financial architecture surrounding Epstein was designed to mask personal misconduct. Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, emphasized that accountability remains the primary goal, noting that Black will be held to legal requirements if he fails to comply with the new subpoenas.