Leon Black’s House Testimony Details His $158 Million Relationship With Jeffrey Epstein

UpdatedSeptember 13, 2026

ByEpsteinWiki

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released the transcript of billionaire investor Leon Black’s June 26, 2026 congressional interview as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Black acknowledged knowing Epstein for approximately 23 years, visiting his Manhattan townhouse regularly, using him as a professional adviser, and paying him $158 million between 2012 and 2017. Black also confirmed that Maxwell asked him to contribute a personal message to Epstein’s fiftieth birthday book.

Black denied knowing about Epstein’s trafficking operation before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. He denied abusing women, having sexual contact with minors, participating in trafficking, paying Epstein for access to women, or being blackmailed by Epstein.

The interview ended early after Black declined to answer questions about the number and substance of nondisclosure agreements involving women. The committee then served him with subpoenas for documents and a subsequent deposition.

Black’s denials remain part of the record. However, they must be evaluated alongside financial records, Senate findings, civil allegations, settlement agreements, and evidence contained in the Epstein files.

Who Is Leon Black?

Leon Black is a billionaire investor and a founder of Apollo Global Management. He served as Apollo’s chairman and chief executive officer before leaving the company in 2021.

Black told the committee that he first met Epstein in approximately 1995 or 1996. He said their mutual acquaintance Frederick “Skip” Zuckerman introduced them during a lunch.

Black said he initially knew nothing about Epstein. Over time, he became impressed by Epstein’s connections to financial executives, scientists, politicians, academics, and international leaders.

Black also said Epstein presented himself as knowledgeable about tax planning, insurance, trusts, and estate planning.

Black Knew Epstein for Years Before Paying Him

Black testified that he knew Epstein for approximately 18 years before making his first professional payment to him.

He described the relationship as both professional and social. Black said Epstein eventually advised his family office on tax and estate matters. He also acknowledged visiting Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse to meet people from government, science, business, and academia.

Black said his home was approximately two blocks from Epstein’s townhouse. Before 2007, Black estimated that he might have seen Epstein once every three weeks or once a month. Their meetings included breakfasts, drinks, and gatherings at Epstein’s residence.

This testimony documents a sustained personal and professional relationship. It is considerably broader than a relationship limited to occasional financial consultations.

Black Continued the Relationship After Epstein’s 2008 Conviction

Black acknowledged knowing that Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to charges involving prostitution and a minor.

According to Black, Epstein claimed that the case involved an isolated incident and a young person who had used false identification. Black said he accepted that explanation.

Black began paying Epstein for professional services several years later. He described this as giving Epstein a second chance.

Black’s explanation does not change the public record available by 2013. Epstein was a registered sex offender who had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution.

Black said he did not learn about the broader trafficking operation until Epstein’s July 2019 arrest.

Black Said He Paid Epstein $158 Million

Black confirmed that he paid Epstein $158 million for services provided between 2012 and 2017.

Black said Epstein advised him on tax, trust, insurance, estate planning, and family office matters. He claimed that Epstein’s advice helped produce between $1 billion and $2 billion in financial benefits.

Black characterized the $158 million as legitimate compensation. He said outside lawyers and accounting professionals reviewed the strategies before they were implemented.

The Epstein Data copy of the Dechert findings is preserved as EFTA02730996. A Senate Finance Committee letter describing the $158 million payment total is preserved as EFTA02731023.

Black’s stated purpose for the payments is documented. However, serious questions remain about the size, calculation, routing, and ultimate use of the money.

Senate Investigators Identified a Higher Payment Total

The Senate Finance Committee reported in 2025 that its investigation had identified $170 million in transfers from Black to Epstein.

That total was $12 million higher than the amount reported by the Apollo commissioned Dechert investigation.

Black continued to cite the $158 million figure during his House interview. The committee did not have an opportunity to question him about the Senate’s higher total before the interview ended.

The difference remains unresolved in the House transcript. Researchers should distinguish between the $158 million identified by Dechert and the $170 million later reported by Senate investigators.

The Payments Went Through Southern Trust Company

Financial records show that substantial payments connected to Black were directed to Epstein’s Virgin Islands company, Southern Trust Company.

The Epstein Data transaction analysis identifies Southern Trust as a central financial vehicle that received advisory payments, art related proceeds, and other transfers.

Epstein Data identifies bank records documenting at least $118.5 million in transfers connected to Black. Those records are preserved in EFTA00080260.

The complete $158 million total is supported by the Dechert report and Senate correspondence. However, not every dollar of that total has been independently reconstructed through the publicly released bank exhibits.

This distinction is important. A reported aggregate total and a publicly traceable bank total are not necessarily the same evidentiary category.

Black Said Epstein Misrepresented the Tax Treatment of His Fees

Black said Epstein told him that the advisory fees were tax deductible. According to Black, he believed he was effectively paying 60 cents for every dollar because the remaining amount would be offset through tax deductions.

Black testified that he later learned this representation was false.

He said he believed the net cost of the $158 million in payments would be approximately $95 million. Black blamed Epstein for misleading him about the tax treatment.

The transcript does not identify who prepared the relevant tax returns, whether deductions were claimed, whether any deductions were reversed, or whether Black paid additional taxes, penalties, or interest.

Those records would be necessary to verify the complete financial effect of Epstein’s representation.

Black Loaned Epstein $30 Million

Black testified that he made a $30 million demand loan to Epstein.

He said Epstein failed to repay most of the loan. Black identified the unpaid loan as one reason he ended their professional relationship.

The transcript does not provide a complete accounting of the loan, its terms, the amount repaid, the collateral involved, or how the obligation was handled after Epstein’s death.

The loan should be examined separately from the advisory fees. A loan and payment for services create different legal, tax, and accounting obligations.

Black Said He Ended the Relationship in 2018

Black testified that he severed his relationship with Epstein in 2018.

He cited several reasons. These included Epstein’s demands for additional money, disputes over his fees, false claims about tax deductibility, professional misrepresentations, and the unpaid portion of the $30 million loan.

Black did not say that he ended the relationship because he discovered Epstein’s sexual abuse. He maintained that he did not know about the broader trafficking operation until 2019.

This chronology places the end of the relationship approximately ten years after Epstein became a registered sex offender.

Black Relied Heavily on the Dechert Investigation

Black repeatedly cited an investigation conducted by the law firm Dechert.

Apollo’s board commissioned the investigation after news reports revealed the scale of Black’s payments to Epstein. Dechert reviewed approximately 60,000 documents and interviewed more than 20 people.

The Apollo announcement concerning the Dechert review stated that investigators found no evidence Black participated in or knew about Epstein’s criminal activity.

The report also concluded that Apollo did not retain Epstein and that the services he provided to Black were legitimate.

Those conclusions should be described accurately. However, the investigation was commissioned by Apollo’s board during a corporate crisis involving its founder and chief executive. It was not a criminal investigation, court judgment, or government audit.

The Dechert review found no evidence within the materials it examined. That is not the same as proving that every later allegation, payment, or financial question was false.

Senate Investigators Challenged the Dechert Findings

The Senate Finance Committee later raised concerns about inconsistencies and omissions in the Dechert investigation.

The Senate Finance Committee’s 2023 investigation noted that Epstein was neither a licensed tax attorney nor a certified public accountant.

The committee also questioned why Epstein received fees that appeared extraordinarily high when compared with the compensation paid to Black’s established lawyers and tax advisers.

In March 2026, the Senate Finance Committee disclosed additional concerns. Those concerns included the possible use of a charitable entity to route a $10 million payment and maximize deductions while avoiding public disclosure.

These findings do not establish that Black committed a crime. They do show that the Dechert report did not resolve every financial question.

Black Identified Epstein’s Influential Network

Black said Epstein’s extensive network helped establish his credibility.

He named David Rockefeller, Ehud Barak, Larry Summers, George Mitchell, Bill Richardson, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, Kathy Ruemmler, Ariane de Rothschild, Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, Sergey Brin, Elon Musk, Deepak Chopra, Tom Barrack, and Tom Pritzker.

Black said he met former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak through Epstein. Black later hired Barak as a consultant for Apollo for approximately two years.

A person’s presence in Epstein’s network does not establish knowledge of or participation in his crimes. However, Black’s testimony demonstrates how Epstein used relationships with prestigious individuals and institutions to establish legitimacy after his conviction.

Black Regularly Visited Epstein’s Townhouse

Black acknowledged visiting Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse for drinks, breakfasts, and introductions to influential people.

He described Epstein’s network as one reason he continued socializing with him. Black said he enjoyed meeting scientists, government officials, business executives, and other prominent visitors.

An Epstein calendar preserved as EFTA00285270 documents a scheduled appointment with Black in May 2016. This occurred while Black was paying Epstein substantial advisory fees and years after Epstein became a registered sex offender.

Additional released records document dinners and gatherings involving Black. One 2014 guest list naming Black alongside Henry Kissinger, Ehud Barak, Larry Summers, Jes Staley, Lloyd Blankfein, and other prominent figures is preserved as EFTA00284908.

Maxwell Asked Black To Contribute to Epstein’s Birthday Book

Black confirmed that Ghislaine Maxwell asked him to submit a personal message for Epstein’s fiftieth birthday album.

Black said Maxwell told him she was assembling a surprise collection of messages from Epstein’s friends.

His contribution contained a poem about Epstein’s international travel, women, properties, and island construction plans. Black ended the message with affectionate language identifying Epstein as a dear friend.

When asked whether Epstein was truly a dear friend, Black said no. He characterized Epstein as a long term acquaintance, professional adviser, and socially useful contact.

Black acknowledged that he was friendly with Epstein and frequently visited his townhouse. His explanation does not erase the affectionate language in the birthday message, but it provides his stated interpretation of it.

Black Knew Epstein Surrounded Himself With Attractive Women

Black testified that he knew Epstein surrounded himself with attractive women.

He described Epstein’s staff as primarily composed of attractive women. He also recalled a tall blonde pilot and compared the environment to a James Bond film.

Black said he assumed the pilot was approximately 30 years old. When investigators asked whether he knew she had allegedly been brought to the United States by Epstein at age 15, Black said he did not know.

The committee’s question about an allegation does not independently prove that allegation. However, Black’s testimony confirms that young and attractive women were a visible feature of Epstein’s environment.

Black Knew About Epstein’s Island Construction Plans

Black said Epstein discussed architectural plans for his private island with him.

Black described several buildings with domes and architectural influences that reminded him of the Alhambra in Spain. His birthday message referred to these island construction plans.

The testimony shows that Black knew about Epstein’s island and discussed its development. It does not establish that Black visited the island.

Black was not asked enough follow up questions to determine how often they discussed the property, whether Black assisted with any transactions, or whether he met people connected to the island operation.

Black Confirmed a Six Year Extramarital Relationship

The committee questioned Black about a six year relationship with an adult woman whose name was redacted in the transcript.

Black described the relationship as a consensual extramarital affair. He said he met the woman at a New York gathering that was not connected to Epstein.

Black acknowledged financially supporting her during the relationship. He said she later demanded $100 million and claimed that he had ruined her life.

Black denied that she accused him of abuse during the negotiations.

Black Confirmed a $21.7 Million Confidential Settlement

Black confirmed that the relationship ended in a 2015 settlement containing a nondisclosure agreement.

According to the committee’s description, the settlement provided $100,000 per month for 15 years, $1 million in loan forgiveness, and £2 million to assist with a United Kingdom visa.

Black agreed that those terms were accurate. The combined value discussed during the interview was approximately $21.7 million.

Black said he agreed to the payment because he wanted to protect his wife, children, and position as the chairman of a public company. He characterized the demand as blackmail and extortion.

That was Black’s description. The transcript does not contain testimony from the woman or her attorneys about the negotiations.

Epstein Knew About the $100 Million Demand

Black testified that he discussed the woman’s demand with Epstein.

He denied that Epstein negotiated the settlement. However, he said Epstein knew about the matter because Epstein was handling his estate and a potential $100 million payment could have affected his estate planning.

Black also said his attorneys at Paul, Weiss knew about the dispute.

This disclosure is important because it places Epstein inside Black’s handling of a highly sensitive personal and financial matter. Even if Epstein did not negotiate the agreement, he had knowledge that could have increased his influence over Black.

Black nevertheless denied that Epstein ever blackmailed him.

Black Refused To Disclose How Many Nondisclosure Agreements He Had

Committee investigators asked Black how many nondisclosure agreements he had entered into.

Black’s attorney argued that confidentiality provisions prevented him from confirming the existence or terms of additional agreements.

Black ultimately refused to answer the question on advice of counsel.

He also refused to identify other men in his social circle who had entered into nondisclosure agreements.

Black said he was unaware of any additional agreements involving women associated with Epstein. Because he refused to provide a complete number or list, the committee could not independently test that statement during the interview.

The Committee Served Black With Two Subpoenas

After Black declined to answer further questions about nondisclosure agreements, House Oversight General Counsel Daniel Ashworth served him with two subpoenas.

The first subpoena sought documents concerning nondisclosure agreements involving Black, Epstein, or Maxwell.

The second compelled Black to appear for a deposition scheduled for July 16, 2026.

Black’s attorneys objected to the subpoenas. They accused the committee of changing the terms of the voluntary interview and staging a political event.

Black and his attorneys then left the interview. As a result, committee members did not complete their questions about the $158 million in payments, the Senate findings, survivor allegations, and the financial relationship between Black and Epstein.

This Transcript Is From the June 26 Interview

The transcript released on July 17, 2026 records Black’s voluntary interview on June 26, 2026.

It is not a transcript of the deposition scheduled for July 16.

This distinction matters because the June interview ended shortly after the subpoenas were served. Any July deposition would be a separate proceeding and could contain additional testimony or assertions of privilege.

The House Oversight Committee release should be monitored for additional transcripts and exhibits.

Black Denied All Sexual Abuse Allegations

Black stated that he had never abused a woman, had never been with an underage woman, had never participated in trafficking, and had never paid Epstein for access to women.

Black also discussed three civil cases involving women represented by the Wigdor law firm. He characterized the allegations as fabricated.

Some claims against Black have been dismissed. One plaintiff voluntarily dismissed her case with prejudice. Another case involved judicial findings concerning fabricated evidence and sanctions.

Dismissal of a civil lawsuit can occur for different procedural and evidentiary reasons. It does not automatically establish that every allegation involving the defendant was affirmatively disproven.

Black has denied all allegations and has not been criminally charged in connection with Epstein’s trafficking operation.

The Epstein Files Contain Additional Allegations

Epstein Data has identified released records containing allegations against Black. These include law enforcement tips, attorney correspondence, interview records, and material connected to federal and local investigations.

A direct message in which a woman accused Black of rape and trafficking is preserved as EFTA02731576.

An attorney letter containing allegations involving Black and other prominent men is preserved as EFTA02731721.

Records concerning referrals and communications about investigations involving Black include EFTA02731477, EFTA02731486, and EFTA02731662.

These records document that allegations were reported. They do not, by themselves, establish that the allegations were proven.

The Epstein Data investigation of Leon Black assembles many of the relevant records. Its conclusions should be checked against the linked primary evidence.

Black Reached a $62.5 Million Settlement With the Virgin Islands

Black reached a $62.5 million settlement with the United States Virgin Islands in 2023.

The executed settlement agreement released by the Senate Finance Committee addressed potential claims connected to Black’s payments to Epstein and Epstein’s activities in the territory.

Black did not admit wrongdoing through the settlement.

The agreement is nevertheless important because the Virgin Islands alleged that money paid to Epstein helped sustain the enterprise operating from the territory. Black maintained that the payments were solely for legitimate financial services.

The House transcript did not reach a substantive examination of this settlement before the interview ended.

What Black’s Testimony Establishes

Black’s own testimony establishes several significant facts.

Black met Epstein in approximately 1995 or 1996.
Black continued associating with Epstein after learning about his 2008 conviction.
Black visited Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse regularly.
Black sometimes met Epstein for breakfast or drinks.
Black used Epstein as a tax and estate planning adviser.
Black paid Epstein at least $158 million.
Senate investigators later identified a total of $170 million.
Black made a separate $30 million loan to Epstein.
Epstein failed to repay most of that loan.
Maxwell asked Black to contribute to Epstein’s birthday album.
Black used affectionate language in the birthday message.
Black knew Epstein surrounded himself with attractive women.
Black knew about Epstein’s island construction plans.
Epstein knew about a sensitive financial dispute involving Black’s former partner.
Black confirmed one settlement worth approximately $21.7 million.
Black refused to disclose the total number of nondisclosure agreements involving him.
Black ended the voluntary interview after receiving subpoenas.

What the Testimony Does Not Establish

The transcript does not prove that Black participated in Epstein’s trafficking operation.

It does not prove that the $158 million was payment for access to women.

It does not establish that Black knew the full extent of Epstein’s crimes before 2019.

It does not resolve whether Epstein’s services justified the extraordinary compensation he received.

It does not reconcile the Dechert total of $158 million with the Senate’s reported total of $170 million.

It does not provide a complete accounting of Black’s $30 million loan to Epstein.

It does not determine how the money moved through Southern Trust after Epstein received it.

It does not reveal the complete number or terms of Black’s nondisclosure agreements.

It does not resolve the civil allegations that Black denies.

Key Takeaways

Black’s relationship with Epstein lasted more than two decades and included regular social contact, professional advice, townhouse visits, personal confidences, a large loan, and at least $158 million in payments.

Black knowingly resumed or expanded the financial relationship after Epstein became a convicted sex offender. He said he accepted Epstein’s explanation that the criminal case involved an isolated incident and false identification.

Black relied on the Dechert review to defend the legitimacy of his payments. However, later Senate findings identified additional transfers and raised questions about charitable routing, tax deductions, compensation levels, and the use of Southern Trust.

Epstein had access to sensitive information about Black’s estate, family finances, extramarital relationship, and confidential settlement. That access created significant leverage, even though Black denied that Epstein blackmailed him.

The June 26 interview left many central questions unanswered. The committee did not complete its examination of the payments, survivor allegations, settlement agreements, or Epstein’s role in Black’s financial structure.

Sources

Leon-Black-Final-Transcript-7.16.26 Download

PostedJuly 17, 2026

ByEpsteinWiki