Leon Black defends $158M paid to Epstein in congressional testimony
On Friday, billionaire investor Leon Black appeared before the House Oversight Committee to justify the $158 million he disbursed to Jeffrey Epstein during their lengthy association. As the co-founder and former CEO of Apollo Global Management, Black expressed to lawmakers that he had been misled by Epstein, remarking, "I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde." He maintained that he had not engaged in any criminal acts and only became aware of Epstein's "nefarious activity" in 2019. Black asserted that the payments were legitimate, referencing Epstein's "unrivalled network of relationships" with powerful individuals. He is the 16th witness in the committee's probe into Epstein's influence and wealth, which Chairman James Comer deemed potentially the most "groundbreaking" deposition to date. Black resigned from Apollo in 2021 due to the repercussions of his connection to Epstein.
Key facts
- Leon Black paid Jeffrey Epstein $158 million over a years-long relationship.
- Black testified before the House Oversight Committee on Friday.
- Black said he was deceived by Epstein, claiming 'I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde.'
- He insisted he committed no criminal wrongdoing and was unaware of Epstein's activities until 2019.
- Black is the 16th person to appear before the committee in the Epstein investigation.
- House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer called the deposition potentially 'groundbreaking.'
- Black is co-founder and former CEO of Apollo Global Management.
- He stepped down from Apollo in 2021 amid fallout over his Epstein ties.
Entities
Institutions
- House Oversight Committee
- Apollo Global Management
Locations
- United States