House Oversight Criticizes Leon Black Over Single NDA Produced in Epstein Inquiry
Key Takeaways
- •The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Leon Black for all NDAs related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell but received only one agreement in response.
- •Black's attorney provided an NDA between Black and Guzel Ganieva, a former romantic partner who received approximately $9.5 million, asserting it was the only agreement Epstein knew about before his death.
- •Committee Chair James Comer's spokesperson accused Black of acting in bad faith and indicated the panel would take further action regarding the incomplete production.
- •The investigation forms part of a broader congressional effort to compel testimony and documents from individuals connected to Epstein's network of wealthy associates.
- •Black has acknowledged paying Epstein roughly $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for tax and estate planning advice, a relationship that drew scrutiny following Epstein's 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.

House Oversight Committee lawmakers reacted angrily Friday after receiving only one non-disclosure agreement involving Leon Black, a former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports.
The committee had subpoenaed Black, the founder of Apollo Global Management, seeking all NDAs he allegedly holds that are related to Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, and Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, Politico reported.
Black, who built Apollo into one of the world's largest private equity firms, has acknowledged paying Epstein roughly $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for tax and estate planning advice—a relationship that drew scrutiny after Epstein's 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. Black stepped down as Apollo's CEO in March 2021, months earlier than his planned retirement, amid questions from investors and regulators about the ties.
A spokesperson for House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) sharply criticized the response and indicated the panel would take further action.
"Leon Black isn't acting in good faith," the spokesperson said. "The Committee agreed to extend the deadline two weeks for full production of all NDAs and his attorney has deliberately chosen to only produce one. This is unacceptable and the Committee will follow up with his attorney."
Black's attorney, Susan Estrich, confirmed that she provided a single NDA to the committee. The agreement was between Black and Guzel Ganieva, a woman with whom he was previously romantically involved. The relationship ended with Black paying Ganieva roughly $9.5 million.
Estrich said Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, knew about the agreement. Ganieva later sued Black, alleging sexual misconduct and defamation, but a judge dismissed the case in 2023.
"The responsive information includes the only confidentiality agreement that predated Epstein's death and the only one of which Epstein was aware. Epstein was not involved with drafting this agreement," Estrich said in a statement. "This confidentiality agreement with Guzel Ganieva resolved her attempts to extort Mr. Black."
"The New York State Supreme Court dismissed Ms. Ganieva's baseless lawsuit against Mr. Black with prejudice and that decision was affirmed by an appellate court," Estrich said. "Ms. Ganieva expressly acknowledged that she never met Epstein."
Congress, however, was seeking more than records tied to one relationship. The committee's investigation is part of a broader effort on Capitol Hill to compel testimony and document production from figures connected to Epstein's network, as lawmakers in both chambers have sought to examine how the financier operated for years with assistance from wealthy associates.
Comer has described materials connected to Epstein and Maxwell as "vital" to advancing the investigation. The subpoena was issued after Black declined to directly answer questions about the agreements.
"We need the NDAs to be able to move forward with the investigation," Comer said.