House Panel Backs Leon Black Contempt in 41-0 Vote Over Epstein Subpoenas

3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Sep 16

A 41-0 House Oversight Committee vote sent a contempt recommendation against Leon Black to the full House after he skipped a Sept. 3 appearance and withheld requested nondisclosure agreements.
The subpoenas stem from Black’s June walkout from a voluntary closed-door interview, where Chairman James Comer said he refused questions about NDAs tied to the committee’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Black is suing to block the subpoenas, arguing they lack a legitimate legislative purpose and that producing any NDAs would invade the privacy of women with no known public link to Epstein.
The full House must still vote before any referral goes to the Justice Department, which would decide whether to prosecute; timing is uncertain with lawmakers entering their last week in session before Election Day.