US News
House holds billionaire Leon Black in contempt over Jeffrey Epstein subpoenas
Lawmakers unanimously referred the former Apollo executive to the Justice Department after he defied congressional summonses.
The short version
- The House of Representatives approved a contempt of Congress resolution against billionaire Leon Black by unanimous consent.[The Guardian · BBC News]
- The action followed a 41-0 Oversight Committee vote after Black challenged committee subpoenas regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.[NBC News · CBS News]
- Black's lawyers condemned the move as outrageous, while Black has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding Epstein.[NBC News · BBC News]
- The referral now moves to the Department of Justice, which must determine whether to pursue criminal prosecution.[BBC News]
Key facts
- The House of Representatives approved a contempt resolution against Leon Black by unanimous consent following a 41-0 House Oversight Committee vote.[The Guardian · NBC News · CBS News]
- The contempt citation refers Black to the Department of Justice to decide whether to initiate a criminal prosecution.[The Guardian · NBC News · BBC News · CBS News]
- Black challenged the congressional subpoenas by filing a lawsuit in federal court.[NBC News · CBS News]
- Black has denied any wrongdoing concerning his dealings with Epstein, with attorneys calling the House resolution an outrageous action.[NBC News · BBC News]
- Past reporting and an internal review revealed Black paid Epstein tens of millions of dollars for tax and estate planning services between 2012 and 2017.[The Guardian · NBC News]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the Department of Justice will choose to bring criminal charges against Black following the referral.[The Guardian · BBC News]
- The outcome of Black's federal court challenge disputing the validity and authority of the committee's subpoenas.[NBC News · CBS News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- US House votes to hold billionaire Epstein associate Leon Black in contemptBBC News - Top Stories
- House votes to hold Epstein associate Leon Black in contempt of CongressNBC News - Top Stories
- House votes to hold Leon Black in contempt of Congress in Epstein probeCBS News - US
- House votes to hold Leon Black in contempt over Epstein subpoenas refusalThe Guardian - US
- House panel recommends holding Leon Black in contempt in Epstein probeCBS News - Top Stories
- House committee recommends Leon Black be held in contempt of Congress over Epstein inquiry subpoenasThe Guardian - US
- House Oversight votes to hold Leon Black in contempt of Congress in Epstein inquiryABC News - Top Stories
- House panel votes to hold Epstein associate Leon Black in contemptNBC News - Top Stories
- House Panel Votes to Hold Epstein Associate Leon Black in ContemptThe Washington Sun
- Epstein survivors praise House committee for recommending Leon Black be held in contemptThe Guardian - US
- House votes to hold Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein subpoenas defianceCNBC
- House votes to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein investigationPBS NewsHour - Politics
- House holds billionaire Leon Black in contempt over Epstein probe subpoenaThe Washington Post - Politics metered
- House Holds Epstein Associate Leon Black in ContemptThe Washington Sun
- Congress is going to war with Jeffrey Epstein patron Leon Black over NDAsBusiness Insider metered