Billionaire Leon Black walked out of Epstein’s trial

Billionaire tycoon Leon Black refused to answer questions about his nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with the congressional committee investigating late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, lawmakers said, leaving behind closed doors.

Black, whose name appears in the Epstein files released by the Justice Department, testified voluntarily. But he left after being asked about the NDA that might be signed, said the panel chairman.

The House Oversight Committee issued two subpoenas to Black to share NDAs and warrants on the cameras.

In 2021, Black left Apollo Global Management, which he co-founded, amid the investigation into his Epstein relationship. He denies the crime.

“We want to know: Did Jeffrey Epstein engage in NDAs?” The committee’s Republican chairman, James Comer, said on Friday.

“Was he involved in writing? Was he involved in giving money to women’s NDAs? What was the reason for the NDA? We want to know everything about the NDAs.”

Nondisclosure agreements, commonly called NDAs, are contracts in which both parties agree to keep information confidential, usually as part of a settlement or employment agreement.

Black lawyers confirmed to the BBC that he had withdrawn after his legal team had “given their final opinion”.

According to BBC media partner CBS News, the private investor hired Epstein as a wealth management consultant and allegedly spoke to him about personal matters, including extramarital affairs.

Black told the committee in a briefing on Friday that he had paid Epstein $158 million (£120m) for the legal purposes of their years-long association.

That amount was the subject of a Senate investigation into whether Black intentionally overpaid Epstein or disguised the payments as financial services.

An internal investigation by the Decher law firm in Apollo, Black’s attorneys, suggested that Black’s payments to Epstein were for legal tax advice.

Just as Epstein was interviewed by the committee investigating his dealings with the rich and powerful, Black said the disgraced financier cheated on him.

“I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde,” the lawyer said in his opening statement, a transcript shared with the BBC.

Black continued: “With the benefit of hindsight, I know, like the world, that Epstein committed horrible and horrible acts. I feel so sorry for Epstein’s victims.

“I want to state clearly that I was not aware of this misconduct until Epstein was indicted on human trafficking charges in July 2019.”

The black man has denied abusing a woman, or being with an underage woman, or paying Epstein for sex or getting women, or being assaulted by him.

Black attorney Susan Estrich called the subpoenas “a planned political situation.”

“Mr. Epstein had no involvement with any NDAs, whether they existed or not,” she said.

Black had a six-year relationship with former Russian model Guzel Ganieva, which ended in abuse charges, according to court records.

According to Ganiva Black’s lawsuit, which was later dismissed, he arranged a non-disclosure agreement in 2015 to keep her quiet.

According to a filing released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein advised Black in an email to an aide that Black should contact former law enforcement officers to approach Ganiva.

“Choose the delivery method of my choice – two highly respected ex—–fill in the blank, immigration, Scotland yard. sfo. . . knock on her door and can offer the terms,” ​​Epstein wrote.

Black’s attorney Estrich dismissed Ganivan’s allegations as “substantially false.” Black himself said that he was a victim of robbery in the past.

A judge ultimately dismissed Ganivan’s lawsuit, citing the NDA she signed and the $9m she earned in the years after entering into the agreement.

Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement that Black Friday “walked out” of the transcribed interview when asked about the NDA.

“Leon Black had an opportunity to do the right thing and help us get justice for the survivors,” Garcia said.

“Instead, he walked out of the room when pressed for information about his nondisclosure agreements with women and his relationships with Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors.”

“If Black doesn’t meet our scrutiny, he will be held accountable,” Garcia added.