Overview
Leon Black, the 74‑year‑old co‑founder of Apollo Global Management Inc. (NYSE:APO), was served with two subpoenas by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Subpoena Details
Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, announced that the first subpoena requires Black to appear for a deposition on July 16, while the second compels him to produce nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that relate to women alleged to have ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Comer emphasized that the terms and substance of these NDAs are “critical to our investigation.”
Black's Response
In his opening statement to the panel, Black asserted that he never abused any women, was not blackmailed by Epstein, and that he paid Epstein millions of dollars over the course of their long‑standing relationship without any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct. He voluntarily appeared before the committee to “set the record straight” regarding his relationship with Epstein.
Legal Counsel Statement
Black’s attorney, Susan Estrich, told reporters that Black came to the hearing voluntarily to assist the committee and characterized the subpoenas as a “premeditated political decision” issued after less than an hour of questioning and before any inquiry into Black’s legitimate payments to Epstein. Estrich described the action as a “planned political stunt.”
Publication Note
The article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor, as noted at the end of the piece.