<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Business magnate Leon Black on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the House oversight committee, challenging its attempt to investigate him as part of its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit contests the committee's move to summon him for testimony and to obtain his nondisclosure agreements.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, was subpoenaed to provide multiple nondisclosure agreements and to testify before the committee. Instead, he initiated legal action in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., claiming the subpoenas lack a "legitimate connection" to the committee’s purpose.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The lawsuit states, "The subpoenas would also expose women who value their privacy, who have no known or public connection to Epstein, who bargained for confidentiality and have refused to release it, and who have no ability to protect themselves and their privacy before the Committee." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is seeking further information on nondisclosure agreements related to Black’s alleged sexual activities after emails released by the committee last year suggested he discussed an extramarital affair with Epstein. These emails indicate that Epstein provided Black with advice in 2015 during a personal matter involving a former Russian model. Black has faced allegations in court of raping two women, including a minor, at Epstein’s New York residence in 2002, which he denies.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In his lawsuit, Black reiterated that disclosing nondisclosure agreements would compromise the privacy of women who have no connection to Epstein.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Democrats on the committee, including Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), have called for Black to be held in contempt for not appearing for the deposition. Comer stated he would consider holding Black in contempt but would consult with the committee’s lawyers to avoid jeopardizing the effort to obtain the nondisclosure agreements.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Black had previously testified before the House oversight committee in June, stating that he had known Epstein since the 1990s and began employing him as a wealth management adviser in 2013.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Black was mentioned by Microsoft Founder Bill Gates as one of several wealthy individuals Epstein connected him with for potential donations to Gates’ global health initiatives. Gates reported having around 16 meetings with Epstein, who claimed he could help raise billions for these initiatives.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Black is also linked to Brad Karp, a prominent figure who resigned from his position as chairman of Paul Weiss, a prestigious law firm, due to his connections to Epstein. Karp met Epstein in the 2010s through Black, who had engaged Epstein for estate planning and tax advice, paying him millions for these services.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Black testified that Epstein assisted him in saving billions as his wealth management adviser but also accused Epstein of defrauding him of over $60 million in financial advisory fees by falsely claiming they were tax-deductible.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This week, Black accused the committee of overstepping its constitutional authority with the subpoenas. His attorney, Susan Estrich, stated, "The Committee is on a fishing expedition that oversteps its authority and completely ignores its responsibility. This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein. It is about trying to destroy Mr. Black. We were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit in response to an abuse of Congressional power."</p>