Leon Black
Apollo Global Management co-founder who paid Epstein $170M through Southern Trust Company for tax advice (2012-2017)....
Billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management, one of the world's largest private equity firms. Between 2012 and 2017, Black paid Jeffrey Epstein at least $170 million for tax and estate planning advice, all after Epstein's 2008 sex crime conviction. Payments flowed to two Epstein-controlled entities in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Southern Trust Company and Financial Trust Company, averaging roughly $8 million per wire transfer. The $170 million figure, identified by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in 2025, exceeded the $158 million found by Dechert LLP, the law firm Apollo's board retained for an independent review. That review concluded Epstein's advice generated over $1 billion in value for Black but did not examine the tax characterization of the payments, leaving open whether they constituted taxable gifts rather than deductible expenses. Black stepped down as Apollo CEO in January 2021 and departed as chairman in March 2021.
In January 2023, he paid $62.5 million to the USVI Attorney General and obtained criminal immunity from prosecution for himself and his agents in the territory. The settlement agreement (doc dc-26878595) states that "Jeffrey Epstein used the money Black paid him to partially fund his operations in the Virgin Islands." EFTA emails show Epstein brought Black to Harvard in April 2012 to meet evolutionary biologist Martin Nowak (docs efta-02172442, efta-02172610). After Harvard banned direct Epstein donations, Epstein brokered $9.5 million from outside donors to Nowak's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics and George Church's lab. Black and his family foundation contributed $7 million to Nowak after an introduction by Epstein, with no prior relationship.
An FBI FD-302 report (doc efta-efta00090606) records a 2020 witness interview alleging Black sexually abused a model in 2008 and flew her to Epstein's Florida residence. Cheri Pierson filed suit in 2022 accusing Black of rape at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse; the case was discontinued in 2024. Guzel Ganieva alleged in 2021 that Black took her to meet Epstein in Palm Beach around October 2008 while Epstein was serving his sentence; her suit was dismissed. Black appears in 82 documents alongside Minor Victim 4 in the EFTA record. He denied all allegations and pledged $200 million toward survivor-support initiatives.
MIT MEDIA LAB DONATIONS: DOJ DataSet 9 emails (released Jan 2026) reveal Epstein coordinated a $5 million gift from the Leon Black Family Foundation to MIT Media Lab. In an April 28, 2014 email to Media Lab director Joi Ito, Epstein wrote: "if you get a chance introduce yourself to Leon Black, he is head of Apollo, will be giving the media lab 1million very soon." An October 2015 follow-up from Ito to Epstein confirmed receipt of the first $1 million, with Ito "waiting" for the remaining $4 million by year-end.
Epstein replied: "No problem — trying to get more black for you." The MIT student newspaper The Tech reported (Feb 2026) that the 2020 Goodwin Procter investigation acknowledged Black's donation but lacked the email evidence now public, calling it "previously missed by 2020 investigation." In March 2026, Apollo Global Management and Black were sued in Manhattan for allegedly concealing Epstein business ties from shareholders.
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Leon Black appears in records associated with Jeffrey Epstein, including flight logs, contact lists, or legal documents. Appearance in these records does not imply any wrongdoing or criminal conduct. Many individuals had legitimate professional or social interactions.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Leon Black is an American billionaire and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, one of the world's largest private equity firms. He served as Apollo's CEO until January 2021 and as chairman until March 2021. He also served as chairman of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Black has deep roots in Wall Street finance, with historical connections to Drexel Burnham Lambert, the firm at the center of the 1980s junk bond scandals. Multiple documents from the Epstein case files reference Black as part of Epstein's inner circle of elite financiers.
Black appears in Jeffrey Epstein's black book with five listed phone numbers, suggesting a sustained and multi-faceted personal relationship. According to the DOJ EFTA document release, extensive documentation exists of financial flows between Epstein and Black. The documentary record shows direct email communications between the two men as late as January 2017, well after Epstein's 2008 conviction. An independent review by the law firm Dechert LLP reportedly found that Epstein's advice generated over $1 billion in value for Black's personal holdings, but the broader document set reveals a relationship that extended beyond financial advisory work into social, philanthropic, and potentially more troubling dimensions.
Black's name surfaces in FBI investigative materials, court filings, journalist accounts, PR coordination documents, and philanthropic correspondence tied to Epstein. A particularly significant FBI FD-302 interview report documents a witness alleging that Black sexually abused her and subsequently brought her to Epstein's Florida residence. Black has publicly denied wrongdoing and called his association with Epstein a 'grievous error.'
Epstein Connection
Leon Black maintained a documented, long-running relationship with Jeffrey Epstein spanning financial advisory, social interactions, email correspondence, philanthropic coordination, and PR support. Documents show Black was listed as a 'pro-Jeffrey power broker' whom Epstein's PR team contacted to support a favorable Newsweek profile. Multiple journalist accounts describe Black as part of Epstein's circle of financiers. Black attended social events with Epstein after his 2008 conviction, including a Southampton movie screening. He was CC'd on tax strategy emails involving Epstein's financial advisors. Epstein also facilitated philanthropic donations from Black, including to Harvard's Poetry in America project and MIT. Most significantly, an FBI FD-302 documents a witness's allegation that Black flew her to Epstein's home in Florida, where pressure was applied for her to have sex with Epstein.
Key Allegations(13)
A witness interviewed by the FBI stated she was modeling when she met Leon Black in 2008, that Black 'promised drugs,' 'manipulated and sexually abused' her, 'used a lot of threats' toward her, and flew her to Jeffrey Epstein's home in Florida, where she was pressured to have sex with Epstein.
allegedAt Epstein's Florida home, the witness was told by others present that 'Epstein had a sex addiction' and that 'if she did not have sex with him then something terrible would happen to her and it would affect her life.' The witness stated she did not have sex with Epstein.
allegedBlack threatened the witness that if she talked to anyone, he would tell her son she was on drugs.
allegedBlack attended a Southampton movie screening with Epstein just two months after Epstein's release from custody, along with hedge-fund manager Wilbur Ross.
documentedEpstein's PR intermediary R. Couri Hay listed Black as a 'pro-Jeffrey power broker' whom journalist Alexandra Wolfe had already called in connection with a Newsweek profile of Epstein.
documentedBlack was CC'd on an October 2016 email discussing a tax strategy involving $4 million deductions, Artspace losses, and a scheme to reduce taxable income to obtain Obamacare benefits.
documentedLeon Black provided a significant gift that funded salaries and Harvard studio space for the Poetry in America project, which was coordinated through Epstein.
documentedJoi Ito communicated directly with Epstein about retaining 'Leon Black money' at MIT while a separate $25K Epstein foundation contribution was bounced back to ASU.
documentedAccording to an FBI confidential human source report, Leon Black owns the mercenary firm formerly known as Blackwater (now Constellis), as attributed to Jed Shugerman and Whitney Webb.
allegedApollo Global Management, led by Black, provided $184 million in financing to Kushner Companies.
documentedBlack is listed in the Virginia Roberts v. Alan Dershowitz complaint among prominent individuals who socialized with Epstein, alongside Mort Zuckerman, Ronald Perelman, Nathan Myhrvold, and Tom Pritzker.
documentedExtensive documentation of financial flows between Epstein and associates including Leon Black was included in the DOJ's January 2026 EFTA document release of approximately 3.5 million pages.
documentedChris Dilorio alleged in SEC-related correspondence that 'Milken, Leon Black, Handler, Moelis, Virtue: Drexel' caused the S&L taxpayer bailout through fraudulent activity.
allegedLegal Status
Leon Black has not been charged with any crime in connection with the Epstein case. He is named extensively in documentary evidence including FBI investigative materials (FD-302 witness interviews and FD-1023 CHS reports), court filings (Virginia Roberts v. Dershowitz complaint), and communications obtained through the House Oversight Committee and DOJ EFTA releases. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee launched an investigation into Black's financial ties to Epstein in July 2023. An FBI FD-302 dated April 2020 documents a witness's allegations of sexual abuse by Black and his connection to Epstein's Florida residence.
Notable Statements(6)
“Jeffrey- I can't print this and when we try- it messes up the computer. Perhaps you can...”
“We were able to keep the Leon Black money, but the $25K from your foundation is getting bounced by MIT back to ASU.”
“The Leon Black gift changed everything for me last year. It paid salaries for staff I desperately needed to complete the second series of Poetry in America.”
“She has already called Donald Trump, Leon Black, and Les Wexner among others.”
“BLACK promised drugs. BLACK manipulated and sexually abused [redacted]. BLACK used a lot of threats towards [redacted]; she was scared of him. BLACK flew [redacted] to JEFFREY EPSTEIN's home in Florida.”
“BLACK told [redacted] that if she talked to anyone he would tell her son that she was on drugs.”
Contradictions(3)
An independent review by Dechert LLP reportedly found no evidence that Black participated in Epstein's criminal activities.
An FBI FD-302 interview report dated April 2020 documents a witness alleging that Black sexually abused her, flew her to Epstein's Florida home, and that she was pressured to have sex with Epstein while there, with threats used to keep her silent.
Black's relationship with Epstein has been characterized as purely financial advisory in nature -- tax and estate planning.
Documents show the relationship extended to social events (Southampton screening after Epstein's release), PR support (Black listed as 'pro-Jeffrey power broker'), philanthropic coordination (Poetry in America gift, MIT/ASU donations channeled through Epstein), and direct casual email correspondence about unrelated topics like news articles about Trump.
Black maintained the relationship was about receiving valuable financial advice that generated over $1 billion in value for his holdings.
Epstein listed Black among names like 'hardeep puree (india), boris (gates), jabor (qatar), sultan (dubai), kosslyn (harvard), leon black, woody' in informal correspondence describing social guests, suggesting a social relationship rather than a strictly advisory one.
Key Relationships(9)
Extensive financial relationship documented across multiple sources. Black was CC'd on tax strategy emails (d-34762), channeled philanthropic donations through Epstein (d-21689, d-32166), maintained direct email correspondence (d-21399, d-33052), and was listed as a 'pro-Jeffrey power broker' (d-30838). DOJ EFTA release documents extensive financial flows between them (d-epstein-efta-release-2026).
Black attended a Southampton movie screening with Epstein two months after his release from custody (d-20161). Multiple journalist accounts describe Black among financiers who 'hang out' with Epstein (d-20095, d-21398, d-21359). Epstein listed Black as a social guest in informal emails (d-21771, d-34154).
Black and Mort Zuckerman are repeatedly mentioned together as financiers who socialize with Epstein in multiple journalist and email accounts (d-20095, d-21398, d-22373, d-34745, d-33299).
Black and Les Wexner are both listed as 'pro-Jeffrey power brokers' contacted for a Newsweek profile (d-30838). Both appear repeatedly in documents describing Epstein's network of financiers (d-21398, d-24520).
Joi Ito communicated with Epstein about retaining 'Leon Black money' at MIT, suggesting Epstein served as intermediary for Black's donations to MIT (d-32166, d-35460, d-32571, d-15172, d-18877).
Black and Donald Trump are both listed as 'pro-Jeffrey power brokers' contacted by Epstein's PR intermediary (d-30838). Black and Epstein exchanged emails about a news article concerning Trump (d-21399, d-33052).
Multiple documents referencing Black's social connection to Epstein also discuss Ghislaine Maxwell's role in Epstein's network (d-20095, d-21398, d-34567, d-33851).
In an Epstein email listing social guests, Leon Black and 'woody' (likely Woody Allen) are named together (d-21771, d-34154, d-24964).
Richard Joslin is CC'd alongside Leon Black on a tax strategy email coordinated by Epstein (d-34762).
Timeline(8 events)
FBI witness reports meeting Leon Black while modeling. Witness alleges Black promised drugs, manipulated and sexually abused her, used threats, and flew her to Jeffrey Epstein's home in Florida where she was pressured to have sex with Epstein.
Black attended a Southampton movie screening with Epstein approximately two months after Epstein's release from custody, along with hedge-fund manager Wilbur Ross.
Epstein includes 'leon black' in a list of social contacts in an email to Kathy Ruemmler, alongside references to international political and business figures.
Leon Black CC'd on email between Jeffrey Epstein and Brad Wechsler discussing tax strategy involving $4 million deductions and Artspace losses, with references to reducing taxable income for Obamacare benefits.
Email exchange between Leon Black and Jeffrey Epstein regarding a NY Daily News article about President Trump. Black writes to Epstein complaining he cannot print a document, and Epstein responds with a link.
FBI conducts telephonic interview with a witness who describes sexual abuse by Leon Black in 2008 and being taken to Epstein's Florida home. FD-302 report entered April 23, 2020.
FBI confidential human source report references Leon Black in connection with ownership of Constellis (formerly Blackwater), attributed to claims by Jed Shugerman and Whitney Webb.
DOJ EFTA document release of approximately 3.5 million pages includes extensive documentation of financial flows between Epstein and associates including Leon Black.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
4 sources for flight appearances
Epstein Flight Logs (9 entries)
1999-2005
“Appeared on 9 documented flights between Palm Beach International, FL and Teterboro Airport, NJ”
Sources
1 source for document mentions
DOJ EFTA Document Release - 3.5 Million Pages (January 2026)
2026-01-30
“The Department of Justice released approximately 3.5 million pages of previously sealed documents un”
Sources
2 sources for known connections
Shared Flight Appearances
“Appears on flights with 7 other persons in the Epstein network”
Co-Document Mentions
“Named alongside other network members in 41 documents”
Sources
1 source for black book status
Epstein's Black Book
“Listed with 5 phone numbers in the contact directory seized by authorities”
Activity Timeline
Network Graph
Known Connections (7)
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Flight Log Appearances (9)
| Date | Route | Aircraft | Co-Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2005 | Palm Beach International, FL → Teterboro Airport, NJ | N212JE | Jeffrey Epstein |
| Jan 18, 2005 | Teterboro Airport, NJ → Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE | Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen |
| Jan 20, 2004 | Palm Beach International, FL → Teterboro Airport, NJ | N212JE | Jeffrey Epstein |
| Jan 15, 2004 | Teterboro Airport, NJ → Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE | Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen |
| Jun 2, 2002 | Teterboro Airport, NJ → Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE | Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen |
| Apr 15, 2001 | Palm Beach International, FL → Teterboro Airport, NJ | N212JE | Jeffrey Epstein, Lesley Groff |
| Apr 8, 2001 | Teterboro Airport, NJ → Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE | Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen |
| Nov 22, 1999 | Palm Beach International, FL → Teterboro Airport, NJ | N212JE | Jeffrey Epstein |
| Nov 15, 1999 | Teterboro Airport, NJ → Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE | Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen |
Black Book Entry
Document Mentions
Email Mentions (40)
Re: $25K from ASU
Hey Jeffrey. How are things? Just to let you know. We were able to keep the Leon Black money, but the $25K from your foundation is getting bounced b
Re: $25K from ASU
Hey Jeffrey. How are things? Just to let you know. We were able to keep the Leon Black money, but the $25K from your foundation is getting bounced
RE: Jeffrey and Ghislaine: Notes on New York's Oddest Alliance
Jeffrey and Ghislaine: Notes on New York's Oddest Alliance <http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2O11/O3/notes- on-new-yorks-oddest-cou ple-jeffrey-
<no subject>
Jeffrey and Ghislaine: Notes on New York's Oddest Alliance <http://www.vanityfair.comionline/daily/2on/o3/notes- on-new- yorks- o ddest-couple-j effre
Re: Fwd:
"girls?" careful i will renew an old habit, . this week, thiel, summers,bill burns, gordon brown, jagland, ( council of europe and nobel chairman ). m
RE:
Jeffrey- I can't print this and when we try- it messes up the computer. Perhaps you can have Lesley scan it — or show it to Leon this afternoon. Than
RE:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/shrinks-break-silence-president-trump-exhibits-traits-m-article- 1.2957688
<no subject>
Jeffrey and Ghislaine: Notes on New York's Oddest Alliance <http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/03/notes-on-new-yorks-oddest-couple-jeffrey-ep
(BN) Leon Black’s Tax-Overhaul Dilemma Could Alter Wall Street M
Leon Black’s Tax-Overhaul Dilemma Could Alter Wall Street Model 2017-12-27 11:00:00.2 GMT By Simone Foxman and David Carey (Bloomberg) -- Leon Black
Re:
Jeffrey and Ghislaine: Notes on New York's Oddest Alliance <http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/03/notes-on-new-yorks-oddest-couple-jeffrey-ep
Showing 10 of 40 emails. View all →
Schedule (50)
2010-06-18 to 2013-10-16 · 24 entries verified across multiple documents
Lunch with Leon Black
Breakfast with Leon Black
Appointment with Leon Black (lunch)
Breakfast with Leon Black
Breakfast with Leon Black
Breakfast with Leon Black
Breakfast w/Leon Black
Screening of Woody Allen's Movie at Manhattan Film Center
Manhattan Film Center
Appointment with Leon Black
Wheels up from Atlantic Aviation TEB, Tail N909JE
Atlantic Aviation TEB
Arrival to Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA, Jet Aviation
Appointment with Leon Black
Breakfast appointment with Leon Black
Appt w/Leon Black
Appointment with Leon Black (Lunch)
Appointment with Leon Black
Breakfast with Leon Black
Breakfast w/Leon Black
Appointment with Leon Black
Breakfast w/Leon Black
Financial Flows (36)
Showing 15 of 36 flows. View full analysis →
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