RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2026
The United States House of Representatives has unanimously voted to hold billionaire businessman Leon Black in contempt of Congress over his refusal to fully comply with subpoenas issued as part of a congressional investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The House action followed a 41-0 recommendation by the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday that Black be held in contempt for failing to provide information sought by lawmakers.
The resolution states that Black’s refusal to comply with the committee’s subpoenas constitutes contempt of Congress and warrants referral to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia for possible prosecution under federal law.
Black, who co-founded Apollo Global Management and previously served as its chief executive, has faced scrutiny over his longstanding financial relationship with Epstein.
He voluntarily appeared for a closed-door, transcribed interview with the Republican-led Oversight Committee in June. However, the session ended prematurely, after lawmakers issued two additional subpoenas over what they described as insufficient cooperation.
Black subsequently failed to appear for a deposition scheduled for September 3 and filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent enforcement of the subpoenas, including demands relating to nondisclosure agreements connected to Epstein.
His lawyers have rejected the congressional action, describing it as politically motivated and arguing that the committee’s questions extended beyond the scope of its investigation.
In a statement issued ahead of the committee’s vote, Black’s attorneys called the contempt proceedings a “complete abomination” and accused lawmakers of attempting to damage their client because of his wealth and public profile.
They also described the action as retaliation for Black’s decision to exercise his constitutional rights.
Black had a significant business relationship with Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
In January 2021, Black announced his departure as Apollo’s chief executive after an internal review examined payments he made to Epstein. The review found that Black paid Epstein $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for advice concerning tax and estate planning.
According to the review, there was no finding that Black participated in Epstein’s criminal activities.
California Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said lawmakers subpoenaed Black as part of efforts to establish what he knew about Epstein’s associates and how the financier handled his money.
Black has denied wrongdoing and said he deeply regrets his association with Epstein. He has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing by law enforcement and has denied having knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s illegal activities.
With the House vote completed, the contempt resolution could now be referred to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia for consideration under the applicable legal process.
