The House Oversight Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress after he refused to testify about his business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, setting up a constitutional showdown over congressional authority.
Bipartisan Vote Recommends Criminal Contempt
Republicans and Democrats joined forces in the rare bipartisan action after Black declined to appear for a sworn deposition in September and failed to produce requested nondisclosure agreements. The former private equity executive filed a federal lawsuit challenging the committee’s subpoenas, claiming lawmakers overstepped their constitutional authority. Committee Chairman James Comer stated Black is hiding behind litigation to avoid accountability, declaring that no one stands above the law.
The contempt recommendation now advances to the full House for a vote. If approved, the Justice Department would receive the referral with potential criminal prosecution on the table. However, the House is scheduled to recess later this week until after the November midterm elections, creating uncertainty about the timeline for any floor vote.
Black’s Legal Team Fires Back
Black’s attorneys issued a forceful statement calling the committee’s action a complete abomination and accusing lawmakers of abusing their power. They insisted their client never engaged in criminal conduct, never abused women, and never had knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. The legal team filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct alleging unethical tactics by Chairman Comer and accusing Ranking Member Robert Garcia of spreading lies about Black.
Black co-founded Apollo Global Management but stepped down in 2021 amid controversy over his Epstein connections. Congressional investigators allege Black paid Epstein approximately $180 million over their yearslong relationship. A 2021 Apollo-commissioned review found Black paid Epstein $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for tax and estate planning services, even after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea involving a minor.
Broader Investigation Continues
The Epstein probe represents one of this Congress’s signature bipartisan efforts, with survivors sharing testimony about alleged trafficking operations run by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Black appeared voluntarily for a committee interview in June but refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements. The committee subsequently issued two subpoenas compelling both testimony and document production. Several other prominent figures, including Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, have been asked to participate in the ongoing investigation as lawmakers work toward policy recommendations.