By Saqib S. Qureshi
Updated 8:04 AM EDT, June 26, 2026
Billionaire Investor Leon Black to Tell Congress He Never Abused Women or Knew of Epstein's Crimes
Billionaire investor and Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black is expected to tell members of Congress that he never abused women, never paid Jeffrey Epstein for access to women, and had no knowledge of Epstein's sex-trafficking activities.
According to prepared testimony, Black will say he believed Epstein's 2008 conviction involved an isolated incident and hired him between 2013 and 2017 solely for tax and estate planning advice. Black says he only learned of Epstein's broader criminal conduct after federal trafficking charges were filed in 2019.
Black is appearing before the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers continue investigating Epstein's network and the federal government's handling of the case. His relationship with Epstein has faced years of scrutiny after it emerged that he paid the disgraced financier approximately $158 million for financial services. An independent review previously found no evidence linking Black to Epstein's criminal activities, though questions about the payments have persisted.
Black is expected to express sympathy for Epstein's victims while firmly rejecting allegations that he participated in or had prior knowledge of the abuse.
Why It Matters
Leon Black is among the highest-profile business leaders questioned in Congress's expanding Epstein investigation. His testimony could shape public understanding of how wealthy associates interacted with Epstein after his 2008 conviction and whether warning signs were ignored