Topline
Billionaire Leon Black is testifying to the House Oversight Committee on Friday about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as the billionaire has emerged as one of Epstein’s biggest financial clients and questions still remain about the millions he paid the late financier.
Leon Black at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, on May 1, 2018.
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Key Facts
Black is sitting for a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee as part of its broader investigation into Epstein and his alleged abuse.
The cofounder of Apollo Private Management, Black has long been linked to Epstein as one of his financial clients, allegedly sending Epstein some $170 million for estate and tax planning.
Those payments have raised scrutiny for being more than would typically be paid for such financial services, and The New York Times reported in March that Epstein may have been used to pay women on Black’s behalf, which the billionaire’s attorneys denied.
Black stepped down from Apollo in 2021 over his relationship with Epstein, but has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the financier’s alleged abuse, and has also denied multiple allegations that women have made against him in connection with Epstein.
The billionaire said in 2020 he “deeply regret[s] having had any involvement with” Epstein and told Puck in 2024 he’s done “nothing wrong” in connection with Epstein and “certainly didn’t” know that “Jeffrey was a pedophile.”
What to Watch for
Black’s interview is taking place behind closed doors Friday, but a transcript is likely to be released in the coming days.
Forbes Valuation
Forbes estimates Black’s net worth at $13 billion as of Friday morning.