The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to hold billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress after he defied subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee in its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The measure, approved without a formal recorded vote, now refers the matter to the Department of Justice, which will determine whether to pursue criminal charges.
Black has declined to comply with committee demands for testimony and the production of documents related to nondisclosure agreements connected to the inquiry into Epstein, the disgraced financier convicted of sex crimes. The Oversight Committee’s resolution received bipartisan support, reflecting unified congressional efforts to secure accountability amid ongoing probes into Epstein’s network.
“No one is above the law,” Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement. “We will continue to seek transparency for the American people and justice for survivors in our investigation of the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell criminal cases.” California Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, described the House vote as a key move toward ensuring justice and responsibility.
Black’s legal representatives strongly contested the committee’s actions, characterizing the investigation as politically driven and abusive of congressional authority. Attorneys Susan Estrich and Aaron Cutler asserted that Black was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct and accused lawmakers of pursuing nonexistent evidence. They also filed a lawsuit against the Oversight Committee and requested an inquiry into Comer’s conduct by the Office of Congressional Conduct, declaring the contempt vote “outrageous” and dismissive of facts.
The investigation has targeted several high-profile individuals in connection with Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Survivors of Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking operation have appeared before the committee to share testimonies detailing their exploitation.
Black, a co-founder of Apollo Global Management, stepped down from his executive role in 2021 amid scrutiny over his financial dealings with Epstein. Lawmakers have alleged that Black paid Epstein approximately $180 million over the course of their relationship. A 2021 internal review commissioned by Apollo reported payments totaling $158 million for legitimate services such as tax and estate planning, occurring after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.
In June, Black voluntarily met with committee members but declined to answer questions regarding the nondisclosure agreements. Subsequently, the committee issued two subpoenas compelling his appearance and document production, initially scheduling a deposition for July 16. After accommodating a requested delay until September 3, Black ultimately refused to appear, prompting the committee to recommend the contempt resolution unanimously before advancing it to the full House.