Overview
- Dozens of 2015–2016 emails obtained by the New York Times show Jeffrey Epstein demanding $40 million a year from Leon Black and insulting Black’s advisers and children.
- Epstein’s messages came after Black had already paid more than $150 million, and the pressure campaign coincided with Black continuing to send fees and loans.
- Court records and notes from congressional investigators cite wires from Black to at least three women associated with Epstein for unclear reasons.
- A woman’s lawsuit accusing Black of rape at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse was later dropped, and separate records show Black sought Epstein’s advice on paying a former girlfriend millions under an NDA.
- No new charges were reported, but the disclosures add to the record that contributed to Black’s 2021 exit from Apollo; Black’s representatives say payments were for legitimate tax and estate advice, that he fired Epstein, and that he denies any misconduct.