Billionaire investor Leon Black's abrupt departure from a US congressional hearing has sparked fresh scrutiny over his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House of Representatives Oversight Committee, investigating the financier's network, had summoned Mr Black for questioning about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Lawmakers made it clear they wanted answers on whether Epstein was involved in drafting or funding these deals.
Following Mr Black's exit, the committee swiftly issued two subpoenas demanding his testimony under oath and the provision of any relevant NDAs. Committee chairman James Comer expressed particular interest in understanding the nature of these agreements. This move comes after Mr Black's name appeared in files released by the US Justice Department related to Epstein.
Mr Black, who stepped down as co-founder of Apollo Global Management in 2021 amid mounting pressure over his ties to Epstein, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. During his brief testimony on Friday, he told the committee he had paid Epstein $158 million (approximately £120 million) for legitimate financial services. This substantial sum has been subject to a US Senate investigation, which explored whether Mr Black had intentionally overpaid Epstein, potentially disguising personal payments as financial advice.
An internal investigation conducted for Apollo by law firm Dechert concluded that the fees paid to Epstein were indeed for legitimate tax advice. However, concerns persist about NDAs, with reports suggesting Mr Black allegedly discussed personal matters, including extramarital affairs, with Epstein, which may have led to such agreements. A lawsuit filed by a former Russian model against Mr Black, later dismissed, alleged he prepared an NDA in 2015 to secure her silence.
Epstein reportedly offered advice on this matter via email, suggesting the use of former law enforcement officers – possibly even from Scotland Yard – to approach the individual. Mr Black's attorney has dismissed these accusations as "demonstrably false," while he himself has previously claimed to be a victim of extortion.