Billionaire investor Leon Black told members of Congress that he did not know the extent of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and that he himself never abused women or had sexual relations with minors.
Background
Black’s voluntary appearance before the House Oversight Committee marks the 16th closed-door interview in the bipartisan investigation into Epstein. He is one of numerous influential and wealthy individuals whose past relationships with Epstein have come under scrutiny since the Justice Department’s release of millions of Epstein files.
Black expressed regret for his dealings with the late convicted sex offender in a letter to investors in 2020. He stepped away from running private equity firm Apollo Global Management in 2021 amid scrutiny over their ties.
Allegations
Black has been accused of rape in three lawsuits and has denied the allegations in each case. He repeated his denial of the allegations in his opening statement to lawmakers.
According to a CNN review of the Department of Justice’s Epstein files, one woman alleged she’d been abused by Black, saying he started ‘becoming sexual’ during a massage Epstein had directed her to give before she ran out of the room.
A separate woman told the FBI in 2020 that Black raped her about six years earlier. She did not say Epstein introduced her to Black but discussed going with Black to Epstein’s home in Florida, where she said she was told to have sex with Epstein.
Response
Black’s attorney has denied the allegations, saying ‘Mr. Black has never abused, assaulted, or raped any girl or woman and the idea of doing so is repulsive and reprehensible to him. Such allegations against him are completely false.’
Black told lawmakers that the release of the Epstein files ‘added fuel to the burning conspiracies and falsities.’ He also said that he feels terrible for Epstein’s victims and that he did not know about Epstein’s heinous conduct until Epstein was charged with trafficking in July 2019.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
