House votes to hold Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein subpoenas defiance

Former CEO of Apollo Global Management Leon Black arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on June 26, 2026 in Washington, DC.Kevin Dietsch | Getty ImagesThe House of Representatives voted Wednesday to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress for his refusal to comply with subpoenas issued to him related to a committee's ongoing investigation of the notorious late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The vote by unanimous consent sets the stage for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to certify the matter to refer Black's conduct to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution. It came a day after the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, in a 41-0 vote, passed a resolution recommending the full House hold the former Apollo Global Management CEO in contempt. It is not clear whether the DOJ would prosecute Black.Defendants convicted of contempt of Congress face a possible sentence of not less than one month and not more than 12 months in prison.The contempt action stems from Black's failure to appear for a transcribed deposition by the committee on Sept. 3 after it issued him a subpoena for that appe...