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Leon Black skips House deposition on Jeffrey Epstein ties and sues to block subpoenas

The private equity billionaire filed a federal lawsuit challenging congressional demands for nondisclosure agreements, prompting calls for contempt proceedings.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 14:19 UTC6 reports

The short version

  • Billionaire investor Leon Black skipped a scheduled deposition before the House Oversight Committee and filed a federal lawsuit in Washington to block two congressional subpoenas.
  • Black's legal challenge argues the committee's demands for nondisclosure agreements exceed legislative authority and infringe on the privacy of third parties.
  • House lawmakers responded sharply, with ranking Democrat Robert Garcia calling for immediate contempt of Congress proceedings, while committee chair James Comer pledged to consult members on next steps.

Key facts

  • Leon Black filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington seeking to invalidate two House Oversight Committee subpoenas demanding documents, including nondisclosure agreements, and a sworn deposition.[The Guardian · CBS News · CNBC · Associated Press]
  • The committee issued the subpoenas in June after Black abruptly walked out of a voluntary closed-door interview and declined to answer questions regarding nondisclosure agreements.[The Guardian · CBS News · Associated Press]
  • Black's lawsuit contends the requested agreements have no relation to Jeffrey Epstein or a legitimate legislative purpose, and argues disclosing them would violate the privacy of women who bargained for confidentiality.[CBS News · CNBC]
  • Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the panel, urged Congress to immediately hold Black in contempt for defying two subpoenas.[The Guardian · CNBC · Associated Press]
  • Committee chair James Comer stated that the deposition proceeded with an empty chair for Black and that he would consult committee members regarding their next steps.[The Guardian]
  • Black has maintained he was unaware of Epstein's trafficking crimes until 2019, while acknowledging he knew of Epstein's 2008 guilty plea and paid him tens of millions of dollars for financial and wealth management services.[CBS News · The Guardian · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the House Oversight Committee will formally vote to advance contempt of Congress proceedings against Black.[The Guardian · CNBC]
  • How federal courts will rule on Black's lawsuit challenging the scope and legislative legitimacy of congressional subpoenas regarding private nondisclosure agreements.[CNBC · Associated Press]

Sources