Jeffrey Epstein Investigation: Billionaire Leon Black Abruptly Ends Testimony

Billionaire investor Leon Black, who testified in the US Congress investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's connections, refused to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and abruptly ended the session. The Congressional committee issued two separate subpoenas for Black.Leon Black testified in the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's connections. Black voluntarily testified but ended the session when asked about the NDAs he allegedly signed.After Black's sudden departure, the Oversight Committee issued two separate subpoenas for the production of NDAs and for sworn testimony. Committee Chairman James Comer stated, 'Did Jeffrey Epstein play a role in drafting these NDAs? Did he have any involvement in the payments to women? What was the purpose of these agreements? We want to know all of this.'According to US media reports, Black stated during his brief testimony that he paid Epstein a total of $158 million over the years for 'legitimate services'. These payments were previously examined by the US Senate, which investigated whether Epstein received excessive payments for personal reasons.Black's lawyers argued that an independent investigation commissioned by Apollo Global Management concluded that the payments were made for tax and estate planning consulting services. In 2021, Black left the company due to his relationship with Epstein, and during his opening statement, he claimed he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities.Black denied allegations that he had relationships with minors, engaged in mistreatment of women, was involved in human trafficking, or paid Epstein for access to women. Black's lawyer, Susan Estrich, described the Congressional subpoenas as a 'premeditated political show' and argued that Epstein did not play a role in drafting any NDAs.On the other hand, Democratic committee member Robert Garcia alleged that Black ended the session to avoid providing information about his NDAs with women, and that he would be held accountable if he failed to cooperate with the investigation.