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Billionaire investor Leon Black appeared before a congressional committee to address his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, insisting he committed no wrongdoing and was unaware of Epstein's "nefarious activity" until 2019. But the appearance was cut short when Black walked out of the closed-door hearing after refusing to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), according to lawmakers.

Black, the co-founder and former chief executive of Apollo Global Management, said he paid Epstein US$158 million for legitimate financial purposes, including tax and estate planning, and that Epstein had misled him. The hearing was the 16th such appearance in the US House Oversight Committee's broader investigation into the web of wealth and influence around Epstein.

Coverage Comparison

The three outlets that provided extensive coverage of the hearing each highlighted different aspects of the same day's events, though none challenged the basic outline of Black's appearance, his testimony on the $158 million payment, or his departure from the room.

The BBC focused on the dramatic conclusion of the hearing, reporting that Black walked out after his legal team made their final comments. The BBC also reported that the committee had issued two subpoenas for Black to share the NDA documents and to give an on-camera deposition under oath. The panel's Republican chairman, James Comer, was quoted in that report expressing the committee's desire to know whether Epstein was involved in the NDAs—whether he was involved in writing them, in awarding funds for them, or in setting them up, and what the reason for the agreements was.

The Guardian took a broader view, providing background on Black's extensive relationship with Epstein. It recounted that a Senate investigation found Black paid Epstein roughly $170 million in fees over the course of their years-long relationship, after Epstein provided financial services between 2012 and 2017. The Guardian also reported that three women have sued Black for alleged sexual abuse, and that Black has denied all allegations and any wrongdoing.

The South China Morning Post, meanwhile, highlighted Black's denial of wrongdoing and his claim that Epstein had deceived him. It reported that Black said he did not become aware of Epstein's "nefarious activity" until 2019 and that he paid Epstein the $158 million for legitimate purposes. It also relayed that an internal investigation at Apollo by the law firm Dechert had concluded the fees Black paid to Epstein were appropriate.

None of the three outlets reported Black paying Epstein a different amount than he stated, other than the Senate figure of $170 million, which Black disputed.

Key Claims

  • Leon Black told the House Oversight Committee that he paid Jeffrey Epstein US$158 million for legitimate financial services, a composition Black himself gave (reported by the South China Morning Post and the BBC).
  • Black denied any criminal wrongdoing and said he was not aware of Epstein's "nefarious activity" until 2019, as reported by the South China Morning Post and the BBC.
  • According to the BBC, Black walked out of the closed-door hearing after refusing to answer questions about NDAs, with his legal team having made their final comments.
  • The committee issued two subpoenas for Black to produce the NDAs and to give an on-camera deposition under oath, as reported by the BBC.
  • The Guardian stated that a Senate investigation found that Black had paid Epstein $170 million in fees, higher than the figure Black himself provided.
  • The Guardian also reported that three women have sued Black for alleged sexual abuse, with one case dismissed, one withdrawn, and one outstanding; Black denies the allegations.
  • Black agreed to pay US$62.5 million to the US Virgin Islands, as reported by The Guardian, though the context of that payment was not detailed in the available coverage.

Perspectives

Leon Black's Defense

Black maintained that his lengthy business relationship with Epstein was legitimate, that Epstein had deceived him, and that he (Black) committed no criminal wrongdoing. He told the committee he was not aware of Epstein's "nefarious activity" until 2019 and that the $158 million was paid for financial services, including estate planning. His attorneys also noted that an internal investigation at Apollo by the Law Firm of Dechert concluded that the fees to Epstein were justified.

The House Oversight Committee's Position

The committee, led by Republican Chairman James Comer, is determined to obtain answers about the extent of Epstein's connections to influential figures. After Black refused to discuss the NDAs, the committee issued two subpoenas to obtain the agreements, seeking to understand Epstein's role in their creation and funding. The committee is committed to full disclosure and will continue to press for information.