Billionaire investor and former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black abruptly walked out of a closed-door congressional testimony after refusing to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements tied to an investigation into his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Subpoenas against Leon Black
Black had voluntarily agreed to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as lawmakers continue a broad investigation into the federal government’s handling of the Epstein case and the network of wealthy and influential individuals connected to the disgraced financier.
Tensions escalated after committee members pressed Black about NDAs, prompting committee chair James Comer to announce two subpoenas against the billionaire.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Comer said the documents were critical to the committee’s investigation.
“We want to know, was Jeffrey Epstein involved in the NDAs? … Was he involved in awarding [of] funds to the women for the NDAs? What was the reason for the NDAs?” Comer explained.
Battle over the subpoenas
Comer said Black will now face one subpoena demanding documents related to all NDAs he is party to, along with a second subpoena requiring him to return for a deposition on July 16.
Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the panel, said he supported the subpoena effort.
Black’s attorney, Susan Estrich, sharply criticized the committee’s actions, accusing lawmakers of orchestrating what she described as “nothing more than a planned political stunt.”
“Mr. Black came here voluntarily to assist the committee. They made a premeditated political decision to serve him with subpoenas after less than an hour of questioning and before they even asked a single question about his legitimate payments to Epstein,” she said.
“Mr. Epstein had no involvement with any NDAs, whether they exist or not,” she continued,
She then reiterated, “The committee did not ask a single question about the legitimate payments to Epstein for professional services on tax and estate matters.”
Leon Black’s defense
In prepared remarks, Black strongly denied wrongdoing.
He said he “never abused any woman,” “never engaged in any s** trafficking” and “never paid Jeffrey Epstein for s**, access to women or any illegal activity.”
Black also insisted he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct until 2019, saying, “I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde.”
He added that Epstein had “duped and deceived” him and described the late financier as living a hidden “demonic life.”
“I don’t understand why people — including members of this committee — would accept baseless speculation about me without regard to the facts and spin such ugly and vicious narratives that are demonstrably false,” Black said.