US House Votes to Hold Billionaire Leon Black in Contempt Over Epstein Subpoenas
On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives voted to hold billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress for ignoring subpoenas related to the investigation of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This resolution was approved unanimously without a recorded vote, following a recommendation from the House Oversight Committee the previous day. The Justice Department will now decide on possible criminal charges. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer stated that no one is above the law, highlighting Black's defiance of two subpoenas as the reason for the House's prompt action. Black's legal team criticized the contempt charge as outrageous. This referral intensifies the congressional inquiry into Black's financial connections to Epstein, raising concerns in the art community due to Black's influential status as a collector and benefactor.
Key facts
- The US House of Representatives held Leon Black in contempt of Congress on Wednesday.
- The action followed his defiance of subpoenas in the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
- The resolution was adopted by unanimous consent without a recorded vote.
- The House Oversight Committee unanimously recommended the action a day earlier.
- The matter will be referred to the Justice Department, which will decide on criminal charges.
- Panel chairman James Comer said Black defied two subpoenas and that no one is above the law.
- Black's lawyers called the contempt move outrageous.
- Black is a billionaire investor and prominent art collector.
Entities
Artists
- Leon Black
- Jeffrey Epstein
- James Comer
Institutions
- US House of Representatives
- House Oversight Committee
- Justice Department
- SCMP
Locations
- United States
- Washington, D.C.