Billionaire Leon Black has filed a lawsuit against the House Oversight Committee, challenging the validity of subpoenas and defying a congressional summons to testify. The committee is investigating Black's past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Robert Garcia, a committee member, stated that Black's refusal to testify constitutes defiance of two congressional subpoenas. "His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable. We must hold him in contempt immediately," Garcia said. Contempt of Congress could lead to the committee referring Black to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.
Chairman James Comer expressed disappointment, saying, "It's a shame Leon Black is hiding behind litigation rather than provide answers to the American people. Mr Black's testimony is crucial to our investigation."
Black has previously stated that he employed Epstein as a wealth management advisor and paid him $158 million for legitimate purposes over their association. He maintains he was unaware of Epstein's alleged illicit activities until July 2019, when Epstein was charged with trafficking.
Black's name appears in documents released by the Justice Department related to Epstein, though the notes state there is no suggestion of wrongdoing implied by this inclusion. The lawsuit filed by Black specifically targets the committee's subpoenas demanding nondisclosure agreements, deeming them "invalid."
In June, Black told the House Oversight Committee that he had paid Epstein $158 million for legitimate purposes over the course of their years-long association. He left Apollo Global Management, a company he co-founded, in 2021, citing the "relentless public attention and media scrutiny" of his ties with Epstein as having taken a toll on his health.
The context of Black's association with Epstein has also been linked to a lawsuit filed by Guzel Ganieva, a former Russian model with whom Black had a six-year relationship. According to court records, Ganieva alleged abuse and claimed Black prepared a non-disclosure agreement in 2015 to secure her silence. Epstein had reportedly advised Black in an email to his assistant to hire former law enforcement officers to approach Ganieva. Black's attorney has dismissed Ganieva's accusations as false, and Black has previously stated he was a victim of extortion. A judge ultimately dismissed Ganieva's lawsuit, citing the NDA she signed and approximately $9 million she received after entering the agreement.