US House votes to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt over Epstein probe

The US House of Representatives has voted to hold billionaire private equity investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress after he failed to comply with a subpoena connected to an investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Black, who had business dealings with Epstein, was ordered earlier this month to appear before the House Oversight Committee and turn over related documents, but did not do so. The measure holding him in contempt passed by unanimous consent.

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said following the vote that no one is above the law and that the committee will keep pushing for transparency and justice for survivors. The committee's top Democrat, Robert Garcia, described the vote as an important step toward accountability, adding that survivors would remain central to the effort.

In a statement to US media, Black's lawyers called the House action outrageous, arguing it disregards ongoing litigation challenging the legality of the committee's actions as well as an ethics complaint filed against Comer.

With the contempt finding approved, the case will now be referred to the US Department of Justice, which will decide whether to pursue criminal charges against Black.

Background

Black walked out of voluntary testimony before the Oversight Committee in June after being questioned about nondisclosure agreements he may have signed. Subpoenas demanding those documents and an on-camera sworn deposition followed his departure from that hearing.

Black left Apollo Global Management, the firm he co-founded, in 2021 amid growing scrutiny of his ties to Epstein. He denies any wrongdoing, saying he hired Epstein as a wealth adviser and paid him $158 million for legitimate services. Black has said he only learned of Epstein's crimes when he was charged with sex trafficking in July 2019.