Committee investigating Epstein holds billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress

Leon Black, left, a billionaire who was close with Jeffrey Epstein, walks out of the Rayburn House Office Building at the Capitol after his interview about Epstein with the House Oversight Committee, in Washington, Friday, June 26, 2026. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

The House of Representatives held billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress on Wednesday.

The bipartisan move came after Black refused to provide additional information on his relationship with convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. It's the first time the House has held a witness in the Epstein investigation in contempt.

Black defied two congressional subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee, which is looking into his relationship with Epstein.

He did appear for a closed-door, voluntary interview in June with the committee, but he walked out before it ended. Lawmakers said he declined to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements.

The Republican-led committee subpoenaed Black to return for a deposition under oath, and to turn over any nondisclosure agreements he signed, including those he may have signed with survivors of Epstein's abuse. Instead of complying, Black filed a lawsuit against the committee and its chairman, Rep. James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, accusing them of overstepping their authority.

Addressing the committee on Tuesday, Comer said that Black "defied Congress."

"Mr. Black is hiding behind litigation to delay having to provide answers to the American people," Comer said. "No one is above the law."