Leon Black Sues House Oversight Committee Over Epstein Investigation

Billionaire Leon Black, the founder and former CEO of Apollo Global Management, has filed a lawsuit against the House Oversight Committee. The committee is investigating Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted as a sex offender. Black was expected to testify regarding his connections with Epstein due to a subpoena from the committee.

Instead of attending the hearing, Black has accused the committee and its Republican chairman of exceeding their authority via a civil lawsuit. He described the inquiry led by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., as a “public fishing expedition.” Comer criticized Black’s actions as “unacceptable” and mentioned considering contempt charges.

Comer emphasized the importance of Black’s testimony, saying he was the first among the influential individuals interviewed who filed a lawsuit. Black’s name appears extensively in the Justice Department’s files on Epstein, but this doesn’t imply criminal activity.

Black’s suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, argues the committee’s authority must serve a “legitimate legislative purpose,” which he claims is not the case here. Black had previously spoken to the committee in June but ceased participation due to questions about nondisclosure agreements.

He refuses to comply with a subpoena targeting such agreements, asserting he has provided all relevant documents regarding Epstein’s involvement. Black argues that revealing certain NDAs would expose the identities and situations of women who negotiated confidentiality.

Black insists he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal actions and points to an independent investigation by Apollo that found he paid Epstein $158 million for legitimate services. Opposing voices in the committee, such as Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calf., have called for Black to be held in contempt and highlighted allegations against him of sexual assault.

Garcia and others argue Black’s connections to Epstein and his refusal to cooperate are unacceptable. Despite Black’s denial of any wrongdoing, the committee has interviewed many high-profile figures. These include Howard Lutnick, Bill Gates, Les Wexner, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Epstein’s former accountant Richard Kahn, and attorney Darren Indyke.

Earlier this year, Comer relayed Kahn’s testimony that Black was among five clients who paid money to Epstein. Other reported clients include Les Wexner, Steven Sinofsky, Glenn Dubin, and the Rothschild family.