Revealed: How Jeffrey Epstein Extracted $150 Million from Billionaire Leon Black Through Aggressive Demands

Epstein extracted over $150 million from Black during their professional relationship.

Recently revealed emails show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein aggressively demanded millions of dollars annually from billionaire Leon Black to maintain his extravagant lifestyle.

According to The New York Times, correspondence from 2015-2016 highlights the intimate personal and business connection between Epstein and the 74-year-old Black, who employed Epstein as a wealth advisor handling tax strategies, investments, and art acquisitions.

In these communications, Epstein berated Black's financial advisors and referred to Black's children as "retarded," claiming they created a "really dangerous mess" by attempting to terminate his payments. "I never want to have any more uncomfortable money moments with you. I find it very distasteful," Epstein wrote to the Apollo Global Management founder on November 2, 2015.

Remarkably, Epstein received more than $150 million from Black, continuing even after Epstein's 2004 conviction for molesting a teenage girl and his subsequent registration as a sex offender.

By 2016, The New York Times reports that Black showed reluctance to continue Epstein's payments. This prompted Epstein to launch an email campaign spanning several months, sent through his personal assistant.

"So to be clear, my terms are as follows. I will only work for the usual 40 million per year. It needs to be paid, 25 million upon signing an agreement. 5 million every 2 months thereafter for 6 months ie March May June. This can begin if I am able in January. I will immediately stop work, if the payment is not received," Epstein demanded.

One message dismissed Black's financial advisers as a "waste of money and space." In another, Epstein claimed they had created "a really dangerous mess." He even disparaged Black's children as "retarded" for allegedly mismanaging his estate.

After persistent pressure, Epstein eventually softened his approach: "Any non-financial issues, I am always there for you and will continue to be the best friend I can be," he wrote.

Black reportedly continued paying Epstein millions in fees and loans for several years until Epstein's 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges.

In 2021, Black resigned as CEO of Apollo Global Management following increased scrutiny over his association with Epstein, a relationship dating back to the 1990s.

Black has consistently denied knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities. However, multiple allegations have emerged against him. One woman accused Black of rape at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, though she later withdrew the case. Another former girlfriend alleged sexual assault; court documents reveal Black paid her $9.5 million under a nondisclosure agreement following their six-year relationship. That case was dismissed.

Reports also indicate that Black transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to at least three women connected to Epstein for undisclosed reasons.

Whit Clay, Black's spokesperson, told The New York Post that the billionaire "very much regrets" ever making payments to Epstein.

Susan Estrich, Black's attorney, maintained that all payments to Epstein were legitimate and exclusively related to tax and estate planning services. "After an exhaustive investigation more than four years ago, the Dechert law firm concluded that Mr. Black paid Epstein only for tax and estate planning advice that saved him and his family billions of dollars," she informed The NYP.