Billionaire investor Leon Black has challenged subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee through litigation rather than complying with demands for testimony and document disclosure related to his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Black previously appeared before the committee in June for voluntary testimony but walked out when questioned about nondisclosure agreements he may have signed. The committee subsequently issued subpoenas requiring him to provide NDAs and submit to an on-camera deposition under oath.
Black’s legal team filed suit in federal court in Washington, arguing the subpoenas lack validity and have no genuine connection to the committee’s legislative purpose. The lawsuit contends that releasing the agreements could compromise the privacy of women who negotiated confidentiality protections and have no public connection to Epstein. Black’s attorney, Susan Estrich, characterized the subpoenas as an abuse of congressional authority, stating the matter has shifted from investigating Epstein to targeting her client.
Committee members responded sharply to Black’s failure to appear for the scheduled deposition. Representative Robert Garcia stated that Black’s refusal to cooperate and his connections to Epstein are unacceptable, calling for contempt proceedings. Chairman James Comer emphasized that Black’s testimony remains crucial to the investigation. Contempt of Congress could result in referral to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.
Black has maintained that he employed Epstein as a wealth management adviser and paid him $158 million for legitimate purposes over their years-long association. He has stated he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities until Epstein faced trafficking charges in 2019. Black’s name appears in Epstein-related documents released by the Justice Department, though such appearance carries no implication of wrongdoing. The billionaire departed from Apollo Global Management in 2021, citing the toll that public scrutiny of his Epstein connection had taken on his health.
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