From Business Insider · Jacob Shamsian · · 1m 50s
Congress votes to hold Leon Black in contempt over Epstein NDAs
The House escalates its fight with a billionaire Epstein associate who refuses to turn over confidential agreements that may silence abuse survivors.
In brief
The House escalates its fight with a billionaire Epstein associate who refuses to turn over confidential agreements that may silence abuse survivors. Congress is using contempt charges and new legislation to break through non-disclosure agreements that have historically protected powerful men accused of sexual abuse…
House votes to hold Black in contempt
The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to hold billionaire Leon Black, a Jeffrey Epstein associate and former Apollo Global Management CEO, in criminal contempt for refusing to hand over NDAs related to Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.
Black walked out of voluntary interview
In June, the House Oversight Committee issued two subpoenas to Black after he refused to answer questions about NDAs in a closed-door interview and walked out. Black then sued the committee rather than comply.
NDAs silenced Epstein's accusers
Business Insider reported that some of Epstein's accusers signed confidential settlements with his friends whom they also accused of misconduct. One person had direct knowledge of settlements with four of Epstein's friends accused by more than 20 women.
Comer proposes NDA-breaking bill
House Oversight Committee chair James Comer introduced the Survivor's Voice Protection Act, which would void non-disclosure clauses that prevent sexual abuse victims from speaking about their experiences or others from disclosing related facts.
“During our investigation, we've learned how powerful men weaponized nondisclosure agreements to silence survivors of sexual abuse.”
Black claims he didn't know about abuse
Black gave Epstein over 150 million dollars for what he said were financial services and claims he wasn't aware of Epstein's sexual abuse. His lawsuit argues the committee's subpoena lacked a valid legislative purpose.
No federal NDA ban exists yet
Many states banned NDAs related to sexual abuse after the MeToo movement, but no such federal ban exists. The Justice Department will receive a criminal referral if Speaker Mike Johnson approves the contempt vote.
In short
Congress is using contempt charges and new legislation to break through non-disclosure agreements that have historically protected powerful men accused of sexual abuse.
