The House oversight committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend that the full House of Representatives hold Leon Black, a billionaire financier, in contempt of Congress. The action follows Black’s refusal to comply with subpoenas seeking his testimony and nondisclosure agreements as part of the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Committee Chair James Comer stated that Black’s testimony is essential to the inquiry due to his long personal relationship with Epstein during the period when Epstein engaged in sex trafficking. Comer emphasized that subpoenas carry legal force and require compliance. The committee voted 41-0 on the resolution, which will now move to the full House for consideration. The office of House Speaker Mike Johnson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Black has challenged the subpoenas as invalid, arguing they exceed the committee’s delegated authority and seek private information unrelated to legitimate legislative purposes. His legal team also contended that producing the agreements would violate the privacy of women who negotiated confidentiality terms. Black’s attorneys characterized the subpoenas as an abuse of power and announced plans to file a complaint with the office of congressional conduct. Black has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and stated he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
The dispute escalated after Black failed to appear for a scheduled deposition on September 3 and produced only one nondisclosure agreement despite the committee’s broader request. The committee initially issued the subpoenas in June following a voluntary appearance by Black, during which he declined to answer questions about NDAs. Comer threatened contempt proceedings in August if Black did not fully cooperate.
Meanwhile, survivors of Epstein’s abuse urged Black to comply with the subpoenas, arguing that scrutiny of his NDAs could illuminate his relationship with Epstein and others connected to him. Earlier this year, the committee similarly moved to hold former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in contempt over initial refusals to testify about Epstein; the Clintons ultimately appeared before the House.
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