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Billionaire Leon Black sues House Oversight Committee over Epstein probe subpoenas
Confirmed
In Short: Leon Black sued the House Oversight Committee to block subpoenas in its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, including a videotaped deposition and nondisclosure records.
Billionaire Leon Black on Thursday sued the House Oversight Committee, asking a federal court to stop the panel from enforcing subpoenas in its investigation of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
After Black's June appearance, committee chair Rep. James Comer of Kentucky issued subpoenas demanding that Black return for a sworn, videotaped deposition and turn over information about nondisclosure agreements he signed with women. Comer said he wanted to know whether Epstein was involved in any of those negotiations.
Black's attorney, Susan Estrich, said the committee had overstepped. "This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein. It is about trying to destroy Mr. Black. We were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit in response to an abuse of Congressional power," Estrich said.
"The Committee is on a fishing expedition that oversteps its authority and completely ignores its responsibility," Estrich said. She said Black had voluntarily appeared for a transcribed interview and then complied with the committee's Epstein-related document subpoena, but that he was misled about the intent of that interview.
Ranking member Rep. Robert Garcia of California called for Black to be held in contempt. "By refusing to testify today, Leon Black is now defying two Congressional subpoenas," Garcia said. Comer said, "We're very disappointed. I don't think I need to tell anyone in here how important of a witness Mr. Black is to this investigation." He told reporters, "I would hold him in contempt right now," but said he wanted to consult committee members and lawyers first.
Black told the committee in June that he first met Epstein in the 1990s and began paying him for wealth management advice in 2013. He said he feels "terrible for Epstein's victims" but acknowledged paying Epstein $158 million. "With hindsight, I now see that Epstein exaggerated, embellished, manipulated, and outright lied — prolifically and without concern for me or my family," Black said.
What's confirmed
- Leon Black sued the House Oversight Committee to stop enforcement of subpoenas issued in the panel's Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
- "This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein. It is about trying to destroy Mr. Black. We were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit in response to an abuse of Congressional power," Estrich said.
- Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee's ranking member, called for Black to be held in contempt.
What's still developing
- Comer said he wanted to consult committee members, House legislative counsel, and the panel's legal team before deciding on contempt.
- Garcia said that if Republicans lose the House and he becomes chair, he would make sure Black is held in contempt if Comer does not proceed.