By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/house-votes-to-hold-billionaire-leon-black-in-contempt-of-congress-over-epstein-investigation Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter House votes to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein investigation Politics Sep 16, 2026 3:12 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a resolution Wednesday holding billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress, referring the matter to the Department of Justice after he defied the Oversight Committee's subpoenas in its investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. READ MORE: Who is Leon Black? Billionaire fails to appear for Epstein deposition The action was swift, and without a formal vote, and now leaves it to the Justice Department to decide whether to seek criminal prosecution. Black has refused to respond to the subpoenas' requests to appear and to turn over any potential nondisclosure agreements involving the investigation into Epstein. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Republicans and Democrats from the Oversight Committee joined in a bipartisan effort to advance the resolution forward. Black's lawyers have denounced the Oversight Committee's pursuit of the former head of a private equity firm as an abuse of congressional power. They said he "had no knowledge of any of Epstein's heinous conduct." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a resolution Wednesday holding billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress, referring the matter to the Department of Justice after he defied the Oversight Committee's subpoenas in its investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. READ MORE: Who is Leon Black? Billionaire fails to appear for Epstein deposition The action was swift, and without a formal vote, and now leaves it to the Justice Department to decide whether to seek criminal prosecution. Black has refused to respond to the subpoenas' requests to appear and to turn over any potential nondisclosure agreements involving the investigation into Epstein. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Republicans and Democrats from the Oversight Committee joined in a bipartisan effort to advance the resolution forward. Black's lawyers have denounced the Oversight Committee's pursuit of the former head of a private equity firm as an abuse of congressional power. They said he "had no knowledge of any of Epstein's heinous conduct." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now