Billionaire investor Leon Black has sued the House Oversight Committee after refusing to comply with a congressional deposition subpoena related to his ties to financier Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit argues that the subpoenas exceed the committee's authority and seek personal information unrelated to Epstein or any legitimate legislative purpose. Representative Robert Garcia called for Black to be held in contempt, citing allegations of funding Epstein's abuse and trafficking of women and multiple accusations of sexual assault against Black. Black has been a key figure in the investigation into Epstein and his network of wealthy associates, including former President Bill Clinton and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
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.
Billionaire investor Leon Black has taken legal action against the House Oversight Committee after refusing to show up for a scheduled congressional deposition on Thursday.
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Black → take → Thursday
Instead, he filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block subpoenas issued as part of the panel's probe into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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he → file → Epstein
Lawmakers originally served Black with two subpoenas during a private voluntary interview in June after he reportedly declined to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements.
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he → serve → agreements
One subpoena demanded that he produce NDAs and related files, while the second ordered him to return for a deposition.
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second → demand → deposition
In his lawsuit, Black argues that the subpoenas exceed the committee’s authority by seeking personal information unrelated to Epstein or any legitimate legislative purpose.
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subpoenas → argue → Epstein
The filing asks a federal judge to strike down the subpoenas as invalid and prevent the committee from enforcing them.
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filing → ask → them
"The Committee is on a fishing expedition that oversteps its authority and completely ignores its responsibility," Black’s attorney, Susan Estrich, said in a statement.
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attorney → overstep → statement
"This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein.
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This → find → Epstein
It is about trying to destroy Mr. Black."
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It → try → Black
Lawmaker calls for Leon Black to be held in contempt
Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, argued that Congress "must hold him in contempt immediately."
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Congress → call → contempt
“By refusing to testify today, Leon Black is now defying two Congressional subpoenas,” Garcia said.
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Garcia → refuse → subpoenas
“Black gave Jeffrey Epstein over $180 million over six years.
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Black → give → years
He funded Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of women.
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He → fund → women
Multiple women have also accused Black of sexual assault.
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women → accuse → assault
His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable.
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connections → cooperate → Epstein
We must hold him in contempt immediately.”
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We → hold → contempt
The committee's chair, Kentucky Rep. James Comer, accused Black of “hiding behind litigation rather than provide answers to the American people.”
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chair → accuse → people
Comer’s statement cotinued, “Our investigation is examining how the federal government for decades failed survivors of Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes and how Mr. Epstein sought to curry favor with influential individuals to avoid scrutiny.
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Epstein → cotinue → scrutiny
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.
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he → pay → agreements
Our deposition is moving forward this morning for the record and there will be an empty chair for Mr. Black.
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deposition → move → Black
I will speak with our members about next steps.”
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I → speak → steps
Leon Black’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein
Black co-founded and served as chief executive of the private equity firm Apollo Global Management before stepping down in 2021 amid public fallout over his ties to Epstein.
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co → co → Epstein
He is one of several high-profile individuals to feature in the probe into Epstein and the network of wealth and influence surrounding him.
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He → feature → him
Others involved in the investigation include former Democratic President Bill Clinton, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
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Others → involve → Clinton
Files released by the Department of Justice regarding the Epstein case mention Black repeatedly.
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Files → release → Black
He was also featured in a collection of birthday greetings made public by the committee last year, which included a poem attributed to Black referencing "Blond, Red or Brunette, spread out geographically."
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which → feature → Blond
Prior to his June 26 interview, Black maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s "nefarious activity" until 2019, asserting that his payments to Epstein were for legitimate advice based on his "unrivaled network of relationships" with prominent figures.
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payments → maintain → figures
