US billionaire Leon Black defies summons and sues Epstein panel

"By refusing to testify today, Leon Black is now defying two Congressional subpoenas," Robert Garcia, who sits on the committee, said in a statement after Black failed to appear. "His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable. We must hold him in contempt immediately," Garcia added.Contempt of Congress could result in the committee referring Black to the justice department for potential prosecution."It's a shame Leon Black is hiding behind litigation rather than provide answers to the American people," Chairman Jomes Comer said. "Mr Black's testimony is crucial to our investigation."Black has said he employed Epstein as a wealth management adviser, telling the House Oversight Committee in June that he had paid Epstein $158m (£120m) for legitimate purposes over the course of their years-long association.He has said he did not know about Epstein's "nefarious activity until Epstein was charged with trafficking in July 2019". Black appears in the Epstein files released by the justice department, which include photos, videos and investigative documents relating to the disgraced late financier. There is no suggestion that appearing in the documents implie...