Leon Black tells House Oversight Committee Epstein ‘duped’ him out of more than $60 million

Leon Black, the former chief executive of Apollo Global Management, said in a prepared statement provided to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that Jeffrey Epstein “duped” him out of more than $60 million. Black made the remarks as lawmakers continued reviewing allegations and records tied to Epstein, according to the statement reported by CNBC Politics.

In the prepared statement, Black addressed his prior relationship with Epstein, characterizing Epstein as someone he knew in one role but did not understand in another. Black said, “I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde,” a reference used in the CNBC report as part of Black’s description of what he believed Epstein was doing versus what Black says he later learned.

Black’s comments centered on the financial impact he attributed to Epstein. The statement reported by CNBC says Black was “duped” out of more than $60 million, indicating the amount he alleges was lost because of Epstein’s conduct, the nature of which Black described without detailing additional figures beyond the reported total.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is a standing panel responsible for investigating matters related to federal government oversight, including, as relevant here, how Epstein-related activity intersected with individuals and institutions. Black’s submission is part of the record lawmakers compile during oversight inquiries, with statements used to document a witness’s account.

The statement adds to a growing body of public claims from people who dealt with Epstein, many of which have been disputed or contested in past proceedings involving Epstein. While Black’s statement makes specific allegations about deception and financial harm, it does not by itself establish wrongdoing under any particular law, and the allegations remain subject to the committee’s review and any related legal processes.

For the committee, the practical effect of the submission is to place Black’s version of events into the oversight file. As lawmakers evaluate how Epstein operated and what individuals and entities knew or did not know, statements like Black’s can shape requests for documents, follow-up questions to witnesses, and potential referrals if the committee determines that additional evidence supports further action.