Billionaire investor Leon Black walked out of a closed-door hearing with the congressional committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein after refusing to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements, according to lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee. Black, whose name appears in the Epstein files released by the Justice Department, testified voluntarily but departed when panel members pressed him on NDAs he may have signed related to his association with the disgraced financier.
The committee issued two subpoenas for Black: one requiring him to share NDAs and another demanding an on-camera deposition under oath. The private equity tycoon co-founded Apollo Global Management and left the firm in 2021 amid scrutiny over his Epstein ties. He has denied any wrongdoing throughout.
What the Left Is Saying
Representative Robert Garcia of California, the committee's top Democrat, said Black had "stormed out" of Friday's transcribed interview when questioned about NDAs with women and his relationship with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, Garcia said: "Leon Black had a chance to do the right thing and help us bring justice to the survivors. Instead, he ran out of the room when he was pressed for information about his non-disclosure agreements with women and his relationship with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein." Garcia added that Black "will be held accountable if he doesn't comply with our investigation."
Progressive Democrats on the committee have sought to use the investigation into wealthy individuals' ties to Epstein as a window into systems that protected powerful figures from accountability. The party's members have emphasized the need for transparency around financial arrangements that may have silenced victims.
What the Right Is Saying
Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, outlined specific questions he wanted answered about the NDAs. "We want to know, was Jeffrey Epstein involved in the NDAs?" Comer said Friday. "Was he involved in writing? Was he involved in awarding funds to the women for the NDAs? What was the reason for the NDA? We want to know everything about the NDAs."
Comer has framed the investigation as an effort to understand the full scope of Epstein's network and any financial mechanisms that may have facilitated his alleged crimes. Republican committee members have focused on documenting what role, if any, Epstein played in orchestrating silence agreements for victims.
Black's attorney, Susan Estrich, called the subpoenas "a planned political stunt." She stated: "Mr Epstein had no involvement with any NDAs, whether they exist or not," and noted that committee members "did not ask a single question about the legitimate payments to Epstein for professional services on tax and estate matters."
What the Numbers Show
According to reporting by CBS News, Black told the committee he paid Epstein $158 million—approximately £120 million—for what he described as legitimate financial purposes over their years-long association. That figure is the subject of a Senate investigation examining whether Black intentionally overpaid Epstein, potentially using financial services fees as cover for payments connected to personal matters.
An internal investigation conducted by the Dechert law firm at Apollo Global Management concluded that the fees Black paid to Epstein were for legitimate tax advice, according to Black's legal team. Court records indicate Black had a six-year relationship with former Russian model Guzel Ganieva that ended in abuse allegations. A lawsuit she filed against Black—later dismissed—alleged he prepared an NDA in 2015 to secure her silence and that she received approximately $9 million over subsequent years after entering the agreement.
The Bottom Line
The Oversight Committee's investigation into Epstein's financial network is ongoing, with Black's walkout representing one of several high-profile appearances before the panel. Committee members from both parties have signaled they intend to pursue legal mechanisms to compel testimony if Black continues to decline answering questions about nondisclosure agreements.
Black has maintained throughout that he was deceived by Epstein and did not know about his alleged crimes until Epstein faced criminal charges in July 2019. "I knew Jekyll. I didn't know Hyde," Black said in his opening statement, adding: "I want to state clearly that I did not know about this nefarious activity until Epstein was charged with trafficking." He has denied ever abusing women or being involved in sex trafficking.
The next steps for the committee include deciding whether to pursue contempt proceedings against Black and continuing to examine financial records related to payments between wealthy individuals and Epstein's network.