US House holds Leon Black in contempt over Epstein subpoenas
The resolution over two subpoenas will go to the Justice Department, which will decide whether to pursue criminal charges.
The US House of Representatives has held billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress for defying two subpoenas issued during its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
The resolution was adopted by unanimous consent, without a recorded vote, a day after the House Oversight Committee unanimously recommended the action. The matter will be referred to the Justice Department, which has discretion over whether to pursue criminal charges.
The subpoenas sought Black’s attendance at a 3 September deposition and documents including nondisclosure agreements. Black’s lawyers called the House action “outrageous”, accused lawmakers of rushing the process and said they would continue challenging the subpoenas in court, according to US media.
Black voluntarily appeared before the committee in June and acknowledged paying Epstein US$158 million for tax and estate-planning advice. That session ended early after he declined to answer questions about some nondisclosure agreements, prompting lawmakers to seek further testimony and documents.
Black has denied wrongdoing and said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges involving minors; authorities ruled his death a suicide.
