Billionaire Skips Epstein Deposition, Sues Congress

Leon Black didn't just skip his House deposition on Jeffrey Epstein—he sued Congress instead. The billionaire Apollo Global Management founder refused to appear for a scheduled interview Thursday with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, filing a federal lawsuit that calls the committee's subpoenas for his testimony and non-disclosure agreements "invalid" and beyond its constitutional authority, Politico reports. Oversight Chair James Comer said the deposition would proceed with an "empty chair" and signaled possible contempt action, calling it "a shame Leon Black is hiding behind litigation."

• "This is unacceptable. We're very disappointed," Comer said. "Of all the powerful billionaires and political people we've brought in for interview and depositions, this is the first time anyone's filed suit."

Black, a longtime Epstein associate, was subpoenaed in June after he walked out of a voluntary appearance before the committee, CBS News reports. Lawmakers said he refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, called for Black to be held in contempt Thursday. "By refusing to testify today, Leon Black is now defying two Congressional subpoenas," Garcia said, per the Hill. "Black gave Jeffrey Epstein over $180 million over six years. He funded Epstein's abuse and trafficking of women. Multiple women have also accused Black of sexual assault. His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable. We must hold him in contempt immediately."

Black has turned over one NDA involving a $9.5 million payment to a woman with whom he had an affair, but is resisting broader disclosure. His lawyers argue the subpoenas overreach, would expose private individuals, and amount to a political "fishing expedition." The lawyers say Black denies knowing about Epstein's crimes and "feels terrible for Epstein's victims." Black stepped down from Apollo in 2021 amid scrutiny of his links to Epstein, the AP reports. Apollo said Black paid Epstein for "bona fide" services between 2012 and 2017. Before his June appearance before the committee, Black said he paid Epstein because of his "unrivaled network of relationships" with powerful figures.