US billionaire Leon Black defies summons and sues Epstein panel
Billionaire investor Leon Black has declined to appear before a US congressional committee investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, instead filing a lawsuit challenging subpoenas requiring him to cooperate with the inquiry.
In the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington on Thursday, Black described the subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee as “invalid” and argued that they had no legitimate connection to the panel’s legislative objectives.
Black had previously appeared voluntarily before the committee in June but left the hearing after lawmakers questioned him about nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) he may have entered into. The committee subsequently issued subpoenas demanding that he provide copies of the agreements and participate in a recorded deposition under oath.
Black has denied any wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein.
His latest legal challenge argues that forcing him to disclose the NDAs could expose women who have sought confidentiality, have no known public connection to Epstein and agreed to the terms of the agreements.
An NDA is a legal contract in which parties agree to keep certain information confidential, often following an employment arrangement or settlement.
Black’s lawyer, Susan Estrich, accused Congress of going beyond its authority, saying the investigation was no longer focused on uncovering the truth about Epstein but had become an attempt to damage her client.
Following Black’s failure to appear, Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia said the billionaire was defying two congressional subpoenas and called for him to be held in contempt of Congress.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer also criticised Black for using litigation instead of answering lawmakers’ questions, arguing that his testimony was important to the investigation.
A contempt of Congress finding could result in the committee referring the matter to the US Justice Department for possible prosecution.
Black previously told the committee that he had hired Epstein as a wealth-management adviser and paid him approximately $158 million over their years-long business relationship for what he described as legitimate services.
He has maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities until the financier was charged with sex trafficking in July 2019.
Black’s name appears in files released by the US Justice Department concerning Epstein, including photographs, videos and investigative records. However, appearing in the files does not by itself indicate that a person engaged in wrongdoing.
The billionaire also had a six-year relationship with former Russian model Guzel Ganieva, which ended amid allegations of abuse.
Court records show that Ganieva sued Black and alleged that he had arranged a nondisclosure agreement in 2015 to prevent her from discussing their relationship. Epstein also advised Black during the dispute, including suggesting that former law enforcement officers be hired to approach Ganieva, according to Justice Department records.
Black’s lawyer has rejected Ganieva’s allegations as false, while Black has previously claimed that he was the victim of extortion.
A judge later dismissed Ganieva’s lawsuit, citing the NDA she had signed and approximately $9 million she received in the years following the agreement.
Black stepped down from Apollo Global Management, the investment firm he co-founded, in 2021. At the time, he said continued public scrutiny of his ties to Epstein had taken a toll on his health.
Source: BBC
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