House votes contempt against Leon Black

The House of Representatives voted to hold former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

What Black refused to do

Black failed to appear for a deposition on September 3rd and didn't fully comply with a subpoena seeking nondisclosure agreements. He provided only one NDA, claiming it was the only one Epstein knew about.

Committee vote was unanimous

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform voted 41-0 to recommend the full House hold Black in contempt, setting up Wednesday's unanimous consent vote.

DOJ will review the referral

House Speaker Mike Johnson will certify the matter and refer it to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution. The DOJ said it takes contempt allegations seriously.

“The Department of Justice is expecting to receive the referral from the House Oversight Committee and takes allegations of contempt of Congress seriously.”

Prison time is possible

Defendants convicted of contempt of Congress face a possible sentence of not less than one month and not more than 12 months in prison.

Black's lawyers call it outrageous

Black's attorneys Susan Estrich and Aaron Cutler said the House rushed through the inquiry and that the subpoenas are invalid and exceed the committee's authority.

“The House of Representatives has rushed through every stage of this inquiry.”

Black filed a lawsuit

On September 3rd, Black sued the committee and Chairman James Comer in U.S. District Court in Washington, seeking to block the subpoenas as exceeding the committee's delegated authority.

Privacy concerns in the NDAs

Black's lawsuit argues the subpoenas would expose women who value privacy, have no public connection to Epstein, and bargained for confidentiality without ability to protect themselves.

Black's Epstein history

Black paid Epstein 158 million dollars for tax and estate planning advice from 2012 through 2017. He stepped down as Apollo CEO in March 2021 after the firm disclosed the payments.

Black knew of Epstein's past

Black knew Epstein had pleaded guilty in Florida state court in 2008 to prostitution-related charges, including soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

Black denies wrongdoing

Black's lawyers say he never abused anyone, never engaged in sex trafficking, never paid Epstein for access to women, and had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct.

“He never abused a woman. He never was with an underage woman. He never engaged in sex trafficking.”