House Oversight moves to hold Epstein associate Leon Black in contempt for defying subpoenas

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced Friday that his panel will hold a mark-up on a resolution next week that recommends billionaire investor Leon Black be held in contempt of Congress. 

The recommendation comes after Black, who was a known associate of the late-convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, defied subpoenas and refused to testify in front of the panel as scheduled last week.

The full committee mark-up will take place on Tuesday.

“It doesn’t matter how wealthy, powerful, or connected you are, no one gets to pick and choose which lawful congressional subpoenas they will obey," Comer said in a statement. 

"Rather than provide the American people with answers about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Leon Black has chosen to hide behind litigation by suing me and the Committee in an attempt to obstruct our investigation. 

"The Committee provided Mr. Black multiple opportunities to cooperate, yet he has refused to appear for a deposition and failed to produce subpoenaed documents relevant to our investigation," he continued. "After consulting with Committee members, we will defend Congress’s constitutional authority and take action to hold Mr. Black accountable for his continued defiance of lawful congressional subpoenas."

The resolution comes after Comer issued two subpoenas for Black in the middle of his voluntary transcribed interview in June over his refusal to answer questions. 

The first subpoena compelled Black to appear for a deposition, while the second subpoena required him to produce nondisclosure agreements to the committee. Black sued the committee last week to block the subpoenas. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.