US news | The Guardian
· collected 2026-09-03 · by Victoria Bekiempis
Billionaire financier Leon Black failed to appear before a US House oversight committee on Thursday, sparking calls from Democratic Representative Robert Garcia to hold him in contempt. Black has been denying wrongdoing over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and is now suing the committee to stop them from enforcing their subpoenas. The committee is investigating potential non-disclosure agreements between Black and Epstein, with Black claiming he was merely a client of Epstein's financial services. Black walked out of an interview with the committee in June after refusing to answer questions about these agreements.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Leon Black, a billionaire investor, failed to appear for a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee on Thursday regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier who was convicted of sex trafficking charges. Instead, Black filed a federal lawsuit against the committee, arguing that they don't have the authority to compel him to turn over non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to Epstein. The committee is investigating the men's relationship and any potential NDAs that Epstein may have helped Black craft. Black was one of Epstein's top clients for several years, and he has previously denied wrongdoing. The committee's investigation aims to uncover how the federal government failed survivors of Epstein's crimes and how he used his wealth and influence to avoid scrutiny. Democratic representative Robert Garcia called for Black to be held in contempt for defying two Congressional subpoenas, while Republican oversight chair James Comer stated that Black is "hiding behind litigation" rather than providing answers about his relationship with Epstein.
Written for “Leon Black Epstein Investigation” on 2026-09-03,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.85 for article 3463 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-03
Billionaire financier Leon Black did not appear Thursday in front of the House oversight committee for a scheduled deposition about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and has instead launched a lawsuit against the committee arguing that it does not have the authority to compel him to turn over non-disclosure agreements.
asserted
it → appear → agreements
Black was a top Epstein client over several years, and the committee is investigating the men’s relationship as well as the existence of any NDAs that Epstein may have helped Black craft.
uncertain
Black → investigate → that
Black, whose name has come up repeatedly in the Epstein files, has denied wrongdoing.
asserted
name → come → wrongdoing
Black also said that he regrets dealing with Epstein.
asserted
he → say → Epstein
Black’s lawyers said in a statement Thursday morning: “The Committee is on a fishing expedition that oversteps its authority and completely ignores its responsibility.
asserted
that → say → responsibility
This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein.
asserted
This → find → Epstein
It is about trying to destroy Mr Black.
asserted
It → try → Black
We were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit in response to an abuse of Congressional power.”
asserted
We → leave → power
The lawsuit, filed in the US district court for the District of Columbia, seeks to stop the committee from enforcing its subpoenas.
asserted
lawsuit → file → subpoenas
Democratic representative Robert Garcia called for Black to be held in contempt after his refusal to appear.
asserted
Black → call → refusal
“By refusing to testify today, Leon Black is now defying two congressional subpoenas,” said Garcia, the ranking member of the oversight committee.
asserted
Garcia → refuse → committee
“His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable,” Garcia added.
asserted
Garcia → cooperate → Epstein
“We must hold him in contempt immediately.”
asserted
We → hold → contempt
Black walked out of an interview with the oversight committee in June after refusing to respond to questions about non-disclosure agreements purportedly related to Epstein, according to reports.
uncertain
Black → walk → reports
James Comer, chair of the committee, also criticized Black in a statement, though stopped short of signaling a contempt vote.
asserted
Comer → criticize → vote
“It’s a shame Leon Black is hiding behind litigation rather than provide answers to the American people,” Comer said.
asserted
Comer → ’ → people
“Our deposition is moving forward this morning for the record and there will be an empty chair for Mr Black.
asserted
deposition → move → Black
I will speak with our members about next steps.”
asserted
I → speak → steps
