Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, testified before the House of Representatives oversight committee on Wednesday, denying any knowledge or involvement in the criminal activities of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Black stated in prepared remarks that he had no awareness of Epstein’s “heinous conduct” and emphatically denied any wrongdoing, including abuse or sex trafficking.

During the closed-door session, Black told lawmakers that he never paid Epstein for access to women and was never blackmailed by him. He recounted feeling “duped and deceived” by Epstein, whom he characterized as a “despicable individual and an inveterate liar.” Black expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims and asserted that he only became aware of Epstein’s illegal activities when the financier was formally charged with sex trafficking in July 2019.

The private equity magnate resigned as Apollo’s chief executive in 2021 amid public scrutiny of his decades-long association with Epstein. Reports revealed that Black had paid Epstein more than $150 million for personal financial services, including advice on tax matters, art transactions, and the management of his yacht and private aircraft.

Black is among a series of high-profile figures interviewed by the congressional oversight committee, which is investigating the federal government’s handling of the Epstein case. This probe runs parallel to ongoing efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice to manage the release of over three million pages of documents related to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House oversight committee, described Black’s testimony as potentially “the most groundbreaking deposition” in the inquiry. Comer noted that documents and survivor statements contained in the recently released files raised numerous concerns related to Black.

The congressional investigation continues amid renewed focus on Epstein’s network and those connected to him, fueled by the public release of extensive files by the Department of Justice. Black’s testimony aims to clarify his relationship with Epstein and address questions about his awareness of Epstein’s criminal conduct.