Leon Black co‑founder of Apollo Global Management denied aiding Jeffrey Epstein during a prepared statement for the House Oversight Committee, stating he never paid Epstein for access to women and had no knowledge of illicit conduct. He insisted he never abused a woman.

Black first met Epstein around 1996, hiring him in 2008 to provide tax‑planning and estate services after the financier’s conviction for soliciting a minor. Black later claimed Epstein had an unrivaled network that included Elon Musk and Bill Clinton, and that Epstein solved a massive estate problem for him.

In the remarks, Black said he believed Epstein’s 2008 conviction was an isolated incident and that he regretted giving the financier a second chance in 2013. He also noted that the $158 million he paid over five years—originally thought to be $95 million in net fees—was actually tax‑deductible and higher than expected.

Apollo’s reputation now faces scrutiny as investors question the firm’s due diligence and risk management practices. The disclosure could affect Apollo’s valuation and strain relationships with institutional partners, while legal experts warn that the firm may face civil claims for alleged negligence in overseeing Epstein’s services. Black’s statements leave Apollo’s future under question.