US House holds Epstein associate Leon Black in contempt

In a decisive move, the US House of Representatives held billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress on Wednesday for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to the investigation into the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resolution, adopted unanimously without a recorded vote, followed a recommendation from the House Oversight Committee.

The matter will now be referred to the justice department, which will determine whether to pursue criminal charges against Black. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jamie Comer stated that Black defied two subpoenas and that the House would continue seeking transparency and justice for victims in the investigation of the federal government's handling of the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell criminal cases.

Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, missed a deposition on September 3 and did not fully comply with a separate subpoena requesting nondisclosure agreements. His legal team called the House action "outrageous," accusing lawmakers of rushing the process and asserting their intention to continue challenging the subpoenas through legal means.

Black had previously testified voluntarily before the committee in June, admitting to paying Epstein $158 million for tax and estate-planning advice but refusing to answer questions about certain nondisclosure agreements. This action has reignited scrutiny of prominent figures connected to Epstein, as lawmakers continue to pursue testimony and documents.