The House Oversight Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend that the full House hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress. The 41-0 bipartisan vote stems from Black’s refusal to comply with subpoenas issued as part of the committee’s investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Background on the Investigation
Black, a private equity investor and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, had a business relationship with Epstein. He voluntarily appeared for a closed-door transcribed interview with the Republican-led committee in late June but departed before the session concluded. Lawmakers alleged he was not answering their questions, prompting the committee to issue subpoenas demanding additional information.
Black subsequently failed to appear for a scheduled deposition and filed a lawsuit seeking to block the subpoenas for his testimony and for nondisclosure agreements tied to Epstein.
Attorneys Call Contempt Vote “Complete Abomination”
Ahead of the vote, which was called by Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., attorneys for Black issued a scathing statement.
“This is retaliation — plain and simple,” the attorneys, Susan Estrich and Aaron Cutler, wrote. “We have the constitutional right to sue Chairman Comer and the Committee because the subpoenas issued were illegitimate, illegal and a textbook abuse of power designed to bully and destroy legal protections of private citizens.”
The statement characterized the committee’s action as a complete abomination
.
Black’s Ties to Epstein and Previous Review
Black announced he was stepping down as CEO of Apollo Global Management in January 2021. This followed an internal review that found he had paid Epstein $158 million for advice on tax and estate planning and related services between 2012 and 2017. The same review concluded that Black was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Black has consistently stated he did not engage in any wrongdoing and deeply
regrets his involvement with Epstein. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Black has not been accused of wrongdoing by law enforcement and has denied any involvement in or awareness of Epstein’s illegal activity.
Next Steps: Full House Vote
Following the committee’s contempt recommendation, the resolution moves to the full House for a vote, though passage is not guaranteed. Rep. Comer told NBC News after Tuesday’s vote that he expects the House to take up the resolution on Thursday.
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, signaled strong bipartisan support for the measure.
“today’s a really important day for justice.” He add that the committee will “work towards a strong vote of the House in a bipartisan way to get and ensure that we get our testimony and that Leon Black faces justice for these two subpoenas.”
