Epstein client Leon Black threatened with contempt by House panel chair

The Republican chairman of the House oversight committee has threatened to hold private equity investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress if he does not fully cooperate with the panel's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Representative James Comer accused the billionaire of intentionally delaying and disrupting the inquiry.

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If Mr Black refuses to provide the Committee with responsive documents or refuses to appear for his scheduled deposition on September 3, 2026, the Committee will use all tools at its disposal, including contempt.

Comer's office released a letter to Black's lawyer detailing the confrontation. It stated that if Black refuses to provide responsive documents or appear for a scheduled deposition on September 3, 2026, the committee will "use all tools at its disposal, including contempt." Black, co-founder of Apollo Asset Management, was a friend and former client of Epstein, paying him tens of millions of dollars in fees.

Susan Estrich, Black's lawyer, rejected Comer's assertions, calling the letter a misrepresentation of facts and labeling the situation a "political witch hunt." Black had initially agreed to be questioned by the panel in June as part of its broad investigation into Epstein, which includes examining the alleged mismanagement of the federal investigation into the sex predator, the operation of sex-trafficking rings, and how Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sought to protect their illegal activities.

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the letter was misrepresenting the facts, and that Black was being targeted in a 'political witch hunt'.

However, Black's appearance was cut short after only an hour when he reportedly refused to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). In response, Comer issued subpoenas demanding Black produce "all non-disclosure agreements to which he is a party" and appear for a deposition. The dispute now centers on the scope of the committee's investigation. Black has provided one NDA and indicated willingness to provide another, but his attorneys are reportedly seeking assurances against contempt charges and a change from a deposition to a voluntary interview. They also seek to limit questions about confidentiality agreements and delay the interview.

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At no point has Mr Black sought a reasonable accommodation from the Committee, but rather he has consistently sought to dictate to the Committee the scope of its investigation.