House Oversight Committee Issues Subpoenas to Leon Black Following Voluntary Testimony About Jeffrey Epstein
眾議院監督委員會在 Leon Black 就 Jeffrey Epstein 提供自願證詞後向其發出傳票
Introduction
The House Oversight Committee has moved from voluntary interviews to a formal legal process to investigate billionaire Leon Black's professional and personal connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
眾議院監督委員會已從自願面談轉為正式法律程序，以調查億萬富翁 Leon Black 與 Jeffrey Epstein 之間的專業與私人關係。
Main Body
The current investigation focuses on the financial relationship between Mr. Black and Mr. Epstein, specifically regarding payments between $158 million and $170 million made from 2012 to 2017. While Mr. Black claims these payments were for tax and estate planning services, Senator Ron Wyden has questioned if these fees were too high compared to standard professional rates. Furthermore, the committee is investigating whether non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) were used to hide payments to women. Evidence suggests that Mr. Epstein provided advice on a 2015 NDA involving a former Russian model and even suggested using former police officers to deliver the terms.
目前的調查重點在於 Black 先生與 Epstein 先生之間的財務關係，特別是 2012 年至 2017 年間支付的 1.58 億至 1.7 億美元。雖然 Black 先生聲稱這些款項是用於稅務和遺產規劃服務，但參議員 Ron Wyden 質疑這些費用與標準專業費率相比是否過高。此外，委員會正在調查是否使用了保密協定 (NDAs) 來隱瞞支付給女性的款項。證據顯示，Epstein 先生針對 2015 年一份涉及前俄羅斯模特兒的保密協定提供了建議，甚至建議利用前警察來傳達條款。
Opinions on the matter remain divided. The committee, led by James Comer and Robert Garcia, emphasizes that the NDAs are essential to the investigation. On the other hand, Mr. Black's lawyer, Susan Estrich, has described the subpoenas as political moves and asserts that Mr. Epstein was not involved in such agreements. Mr. Black testified that Mr. Epstein had two different personalities, using a 'Jekyll and Hyde' metaphor to explain why he did not know about the criminal activities until 2019. He also claims that he was cheated out of over $60 million through false promises about tax deductions.
對此事的看法仍存在分歧。由 James Comer 和 Robert Garcia 領導的委員會強調，保密協定對調查至關重要。另一方面，Black 先生的律師 Susan Estrich 將傳票描述為政治手段，並堅稱 Epstein 先生並未參與此類協定。Black 先生在證詞中表示 Epstein 先生擁有兩種截然不同的人格，使用「傑基爾與海德」(Jekyll and Hyde) 的比喻來解釋為何他直到 2019 年才得知其犯罪活動。他還聲稱自己因稅務抵免的虛假承諾而被騙走超過 6,000 萬美元。
Independent reviews, including one by the law firm Dechert LLP, concluded that although Mr. Black discussed personal matters with Mr. Epstein, there was no evidence that he participated in any crimes. Consequently, neither the Manhattan District Attorney nor the U.S. Attorney brought charges against Mr. Black. Additionally, while a civil settlement of $62.5 million was reached with the U.S. Virgin Islands, the agreement clearly states that this payment is not an admission of guilt.
包括 Dechert LLP 律師事務所在內的獨立審查結論指出，儘管 Black 先生與 Epstein 先生討論過私人事務，但沒有證據表明他參與了任何犯罪。因此，曼哈頓區檢察官及美國檢察官均未對 Black 先生提出指控。此外，儘管與美屬維京群島達成了 6,250 萬美元的民事和解，但協議明確指出此項付款並非承認有罪。
Conclusion
Mr. Black is now legally required to provide the relevant NDAs and return for a recorded interview on July 16.
Black 先生現在在法律上有義務提供相關的保密協定，並於 7 月 16 日返回接受記錄面談。
Vocabulary Learning
The 'Nuance Shift': Moving from Simple to Complex Connections
At the A2 level, you use simple words like and, but, and so. To reach B2, you need to use Connectors of Contrast and Result to make your writing sound professional and precise. This article is a goldmine for this transition.
⚡ The B2 Upgrade Table
| Instead of (A2) | Use this (B2) | Example from Text |
|---|---|---|
| But | On the other hand | "On the other hand, Mr. Black's lawyer... asserts that..." |
| And / Also | Furthermore | "Furthermore, the committee is investigating..." |
| So | Consequently | "Consequently, neither the Manhattan District Attorney... brought charges." |
| Also | Additionally | "Additionally, while a civil settlement... was reached..." |
🔍 Deep Dive: "While" as a Contrast Tool
In A2, you use while only for time (e.g., "I eat while I watch TV"). In B2, while is used to show a contradiction between two ideas in one sentence.
- The Pattern: While [Idea A], [Idea B].
- From the text: "While Mr. Black claims these payments were for tax services, Senator Ron Wyden has questioned if these fees were too high..."
Why this is B2: It allows you to acknowledge one side of an argument while immediately presenting a opposing fact. This is the key to academic and professional English.
💡 Pro Tip: The 'Legal' Vocabulary Bridge
To sound more fluent, stop using "gave papers" or "told the truth." Notice how the text uses specific verbs for formal situations:
- Issue a subpoena To officially order someone to appear in court.
- Testify To give a formal statement in a legal process.
- Assert To say something strongly and confidently.
- Admission of guilt Saying that you did something wrong.