US billionaire Leon Black defies summons and sues Epstein panel

Billionaire investor Leon Black has refused to attend a US congressional committee hearing probing the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, instead filing a lawsuit challenging the committee's attempts to summon him. The lawsuit declares the subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee "invalid" and claims they have "no legitimate connection" to the committee's legislative purpose.

Black abruptly exited the committee in June when questioned about nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) he may have signed. He maintains he has no involvement in any illegal activities related to Epstein. The subpoenas, issued after Black departed the committee meeting in June, demanded he disclose NDAs and provide an on-camera deposition under oath.

His lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington on Thursday, argues that releasing the NDAs could "expose women who value their privacy, who have no known or public connection to Epstein, who bargained for confidentiality and have refused to release it." Black's legal team, led by Susan Estrich, stated in a press release that this lawsuit is in response to what they perceive as an abuse of Congressional authority.

They argue the investigation is now about "destroying Mr. Black." Committee member Robert Garcia condemned Black's absence, stating the committee must hold him in contempt if he fails to testify. Contempt of Congress could lead to the committee referring Black to the justice department for potential prosecution. Black testified in June that he had paid Epstein $158 million for legitimate purposes over their years-long business relationship, claiming he only learned of Epstein's "nefarious activity" after his 2019 trafficking charges.

Black's ties to Epstein are documented in the files released by the US justice department, which include photos and investigative documents. No wrongdoing is suggested by his appearance in the documents. Black had a six-year relationship with Russian model Guzel Ganieva, which ended with abuse allegations and a subsequent lawsuit.

Black's legal team dismissed Ganieva's claim as "demonstrably false." Black himself has previously claimed he was a victim of extortion. Ganieva's lawsuit was dismissed by a judge, citing the NDA she signed and the $9 million she received as part of the agreement. Black resigned from Apollo Global Management, a company he co-founded, in 2021, citing the "relentless public attention and media scrutiny" surrounding his Epstein connections as the reason for his departure.