Leon Black sues House Oversight to block subpoenas in Epstein probe

Billionaire investor Leon Black, cofounder of Apollo Global Management, skipped a scheduled deposition before the House Oversight Committee and filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block subpoenas for his testimony and nondisclosure agreements in the panel’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network. Black argues the subpoenas exceed Congress’s authority, lack a legitimate legislative purpose and could expose women and other third parties who agreed to confidentiality without known ties to Epstein. The committee issued the subpoenas after Black ended a voluntary June interview when questioned about the agreements. Black’s lawyers called the investigation a political fishing expedition, while Chairman James Comer and the panel’s top Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia, accused him of obstructing Congress and supported considering contempt proceedings. Black has denied knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s crimes and other sexual-abuse allegations against him; appearing in Epstein-related files does not itself establish criminal wrongdoing. A contempt resolution would require a vote by the full House and could be referred to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.