Leon Black skips House deposition and sues Oversight Committee over Epstein subpoenas

Legal challenge in federal court

Billionaire investor Leon Black filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on 3 September 2026, challenging subpoenas issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The legal action followed Black's refusal to attend an on-camera deposition scheduled for the same morning regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In the complaint, Black argued that the congressional panel exceeded its constitutional authority and lacked a legitimate legislative purpose in demanding copies of his non-disclosure agreements. The lawsuit stated that disclosing the records would compromise the privacy of women who negotiated confidential settlements and have no link to Epstein. Black's attorney, Susan Estrich, stated that the panel turned a voluntary interview into an unlawful fishing expedition.

This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein. It is about trying to destroy Mr. Black. We were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit in response to an abuse of Congressional power.

Walkout and subpoena escalation

The confrontation between Black and the committee developed after a private voluntary interview held on 26 June 2026. During that appearance, Black refused to answer questions concerning non-disclosure agreements and departed from the room before questioning concluded. Lawmakers responded by serving him with two subpoenas, one compelling the production of confidential agreements and another mandating his appearance for sworn, filmed testimony. On 3 September 2026, House Oversight Chairman James Comer held the scheduled deposition with an empty chair to create an official record of Black's absence before consulting committee members on further action.

It's a shame Leon Black is hiding behind litigation rather than provide answers to the American people. Mr. Black's testimony is crucial to our investigation as he was one of Mr. Epstein's fee-paying clients and has several nondisclosure agreements.

Calls for contempt of Congress

Following Black's refusal to appear, Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee, demanded that lawmakers initiate contempt proceedings against the Apollo co-founder. A congressional contempt citation requires approval through a majority vote of the full House of Representatives. If approved, the citation goes to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, who can impanel a federal grand jury for a potential criminal indictment. Comer indicated that the committee would evaluate its options before determining whether to schedule a formal contempt vote in the Republican-controlled chamber.

By refusing to testify today, Leon Black is now defying two congressional subpoenas. His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable. We must hold him in contempt immediately.

Apollo fallout and financial ties

The 74-year-old billionaire, whose fortune is estimated at $13 billion, co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Black stepped down as chief executive of Apollo in 2021 after an independent legal review examined his financial relationship with Epstein, to whom Black paid $158 million for tax and estate planning services. Black has denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct prior to 2019 and maintained that he committed no wrongdoing. During the week leading up to the scheduled deposition, more than a dozen survivors of Epstein's abuse publicly called on Black to comply with the congressional subpoenas.