Leon Black sues House committee to block Epstein probe subpoenas

A chair remained empty on Thursday morning as billionaire investor Leon Black refused to appear for a sworn deposition before the House Oversight Committee. Instead of testifying, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management filed a lawsuit in Washington federal court to block two congressional subpoenas, framing the committee's probe into Jeffrey Epstein as a personal vendetta.

The legal battle centers on nondisclosure agreements (NDAs)—contracts where parties agree to keep information confidential—that the committee believes are key to understanding the financial systems that funded Epstein's sex trafficking operation. Black's legal team argues the subpoenas are invalid and that revealing these private documents could expose women who have no public link to Epstein and bargained for their privacy.

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The current standoff follows a sequence of events that began on 26 June, when Black participated in a closed-door voluntary interview. According to lawmakers, Black walked out of that session after refusing to answer questions regarding his NDAs. During that meeting, the committee served him with two subpoenas: one requiring the production of the NDAs and other documents, and another compelling his return for an on-camera deposition, which was scheduled for Thursday.

The friction between the two parties is reflected in the sharply different accounts of Black's financial ties to Epstein. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the panel, claimed via Ibtimes and NBC News that Black transferred more than $180 million to Epstein over six years, alleging these funds supported the trafficking of women.

However, a 2021 independent review commissioned by Apollo Global Management provides a different figure and context. That review found that Black paid Epstein $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for bona fide tax, estate planning and other related services, according to Yahoo News. The review concluded there was no evidence Black was involved in Epstein's criminal activities.

Black has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating he was unaware of Epstein's broader criminal conduct until the financier's arrest in July 2019, though he acknowledges knowing about Epstein's 2008 conviction involving a minor. His attorney, Susan Estrich, stated that the committee is on a fishing expedition and that this is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein. It is about trying to destroy Mr. Black, via BBC.

The dispute over NDAs is not the only legal complication for the billionaire. Court records cited by the BBC show Black had a six-year affair with former Russian model Guzel Ganieva, which ended in allegations of abuse. Ganieva previously filed a lawsuit claiming Black used an NDA in 2015 to secure her silence; that case was dismissed after she received approximately $9 million. Additionally, NBC News reports an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2023 accusing Black of raping a 16-year-old girl at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in 2002, an allegation Black's lawyers call frivolous and sanctionable.

Black's presence in Justice Department files is extensive, appearing more than 300 times. These include frequent emails from Epstein's assistant and a collection of birthday messages; one poem attributed to Black mentions Blond, Red or Brunette, spread out geographically, according to Yahoo News.

As the committee seeks more transparency, Rep. Thomas Massie has described Black as one of several Epstein co-conspirators and is pushing for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to allow victims and lawmakers to sue the Justice Department over the release of records, according to Ibtimes.

The immediate consequence of Black's absence is the possibility of a contempt of Congress charge.

• The Process: If the House approves a contempt resolution, the matter is referred to the Justice Department.
• The Risk: A referral for contempt of Congress can lead to criminal prosecution.

Chairman James Comer stated that Black's testimony is crucial to the investigation, noting that among the many powerful figures the committee has interviewed, Black is the first to file suit to avoid doing so, via Yahoo News.

Legal Disputes and Private Settlements

The conflict over the House subpoenas exists alongside a history of private legal battles involving Black. Court records cited by the BBC indicate that Epstein suggested via email that Black hire former law enforcement officers to approach Guzel Ganieva. While Ganieva's previous lawsuit alleging abuse was dismissed, NBC News notes a separate 2022 lawsuit alleging Black raped a woman at Epstein's New York mansion in 2002, which was later dropped with prejudice following an agreement between the parties.

Black's defense rests on the claim that he was misled regarding the intentions of Chairman James Comer during the June interview, according to his attorney Susan Estrich via NBC News. Estrich maintains that confidentiality agreements are a routine business practice and that the committee's attempt to link them to misconduct is entirely unjustified.

The billionaire's connection to the investigation is further detailed in Justice Department files, where more than 100 mentions of Black appear in emails from Epstein's assistant stating, Leon Black returned your call, as reported by NBC News. Black has previously attributed his payments to Epstein to the financier's unrivaled network of relationships with influential people, according to Yahoo News.

Chairman Comer indicated he would consult with committee members to determine the next step following Black's failure to appear.