Leon Black, the founder and former CEO of Apollo Global Management, has initiated legal action against the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Black was previously expected to testify before the committee under subpoena but instead chose to challenge their authority through a lawsuit.
Accusing the committee and its Republican chairman of exceeding their powers, Black described the investigation as a “public fishing expedition” aimed at gaining political leverage. This move prompted Rep. James Comer, the committee’s chairman, to consider whether to hold Black in contempt.
Comer emphasized Black’s significance to the investigation, noting that while many influential individuals have been interviewed, Black is the first to resort to litigation. The committee has sought insights from several prominent figures to understand Epstein’s network, with Black frequently mentioned in the Justice Department’s Epstein files. Presence in these files does not automatically imply criminal activity.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges the committee’s authority, arguing that its actions must align with a “legitimate legislative purpose.” Black contends that the committee has exceeded its limits, particularly regarding nondisclosure agreements linked to him.
Black had previously appeared before the committee voluntarily, but ended the session when the topic of nondisclosure agreements arose. He claims that he has already provided the only confidentiality agreement relevant to Epstein, executed while Epstein was alive. The release of other NDAs, Black argues, would compromise the identities and privacy of women promised confidentiality.
Black maintains his ignorance of Epstein’s criminal activities, and references an independent investigation commissioned by Apollo that determined he paid Epstein $158 million for legitimate services, including tax and estate planning.
Rep. Robert Garcia has called for Black to be held in contempt for ignoring congressional subpoenas, citing accusations against Black by women and his alleged financial assistance to Epstein’s crimes. Garcia criticized Black’s reluctance to cooperate as unacceptable.
Black’s lawsuit mentions his testimony from June, where he denied any personal misconduct or involvement in Epstein’s illicit actions. The committee has previously questioned various high-profile individuals, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Bill Gates, Les Wexner, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Epstein’s accountant Richard Kahn, and lawyer Darren Indyke to uncover connections to Epstein.
Kahn testified earlier this year, identifying Black as one of five clients who financially engaged with Epstein. Alongside Black, other named clients included Wexner, former Microsoft executive Steven Sinofsky, hedge fund investor Glenn Dubin, and the Rothschild family.