US House of Representatives holds Leon Black in contempt of Congress
In the United States, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution concerning billionaire and former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black, holding him in contempt of Congress. The reason was his refusal to comply with subpoenas issued as part of an investigation into circumstances related to Jeffrey Epstein, CNBC reports.
Possible referral to the Justice Department
The decision was adopted by unanimous consent without a formal vote count. It clears the way for House Speaker Mike Johnson to certify the decision and refer the matter to the US Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution of Black.
It is currently unknown whether the Justice Department will initiate criminal prosecution. If convicted of contempt of Congress, he could face between one and 12 months in prison.
A day before the House vote, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform unanimously supported the resolution recommending that Black be held in contempt of Congress, by a vote of 41 to zero.
Subpoenas and Black’s lawsuit
The basis for the decision was Black’s failure to appear on September 3 for a transcribed interview before the committee after a subpoena was issued. In addition, he did not fully comply with another subpoena requiring him to provide copies of nondisclosure agreements to which he was a party.
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On the same day, Black filed a lawsuit against the committee and its chairman, Republican Congressman James Comer, seeking to block the subpoenas. The case is being heard by the US District Court in Washington. The lawsuit argues that the committee’s demands exceed its authority because they concern private information that has no legitimate connection to a legislative purpose.
Black’s lawyers called the committee’s resolution “a complete outrage.” They said they consider it retaliation for Black’s lawsuit, and the subpoenas unlawful and an abuse of power.
Connections to Epstein
Black has not been charged with wrongdoing related to his contacts with Epstein. He stepped down as Apollo’s CEO in March 2021, two months after the company said that Black had paid Epstein $158 million for tax and estate-planning advice in 2012–2017.
Black said that the advice provided him with substantial savings. According to CNBC, during their collaboration he knew that Epstein had pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to two prostitution-related charges, including procuring a minor girl for prostitution. Epstein died in 2019 after being charged with child sex trafficking.
