US billionaire Leon Black defies summons and sues Epstein panel

Billionaire Leon Black is suing the House Oversight Committee, challenging the validity of subpoenas that demanded he provide nondisclosure agreements. The committee's request stems from Black's appearance in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, released by the US Justice Department. These documents include materials concerning a past affair Black had with Guzel Ganieva, during which he allegedly prepared a nondisclosure agreement to secure her silence. Ganieva's lawsuit against Black was dismissed after she signed an NDA and received substantial payments. Black previously left Apollo Global Management due to public scrutiny over his Epstein ties.

Billionaire financier Leon Black failed to appear for a US House oversight committee deposition on Thursday regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Instead, Black filed a lawsuit against the committee, arguing it lacks the authority to compel him to produce non-disclosure agreements. The committee is investigating Black's relationship with Epstein and the existence of any NDAs. Black's lawyers claim the committee is overstepping its authority and attempting to destroy Black's reputation, while denying any wrongdoing on his part. Committee Democrats are calling for Black to be held in contempt for defying subpoenas. This follows a previous deposition in June where Black reportedly refused to answer questions about NDAs.

Billionaire investor Leon Black has sued the House Oversight Committee to block subpoenas issued as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Black refused to appear for a sworn deposition on Thursday, instead filing a lawsuit arguing the subpoenas exceed the committee's authority by seeking private information unrelated to Epstein. The committee issued two subpoenas to Black in June, demanding documents and a deposition, after he allegedly refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements. Black's attorney claims the committee is overstepping its bounds and attempting to "destroy Mr. Black." A Democratic representative on the committee stated Black is defying congressional subpoenas and should be held in contempt. Black previously stepped down from his role at Apollo Global Management in 2021 due to his ties with Epstein.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse have urged billionaire Leon Black to comply with congressional subpoenas and appear before the House oversight committee. The survivors released a letter on Wednesday, calling for Black to clarify his connections to Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Black, a private equity investor, previously paid Epstein significant fees for tax and estate-planning services and has been accused of delaying the committee's inquiry. The committee is scrutinizing non-disclosure agreements Black possesses, believing they may shed light on his relationship with Epstein. The chairman of the House oversight committee has threatened to hold Black in contempt if he does not fully cooperate with the investigation. Black has previously stated he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities until 2019, though he acknowledged knowing about Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to prostitution charges involving a minor.