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The Washington File

House holds Leon Black in contempt in Epstein probe

Where it stands

House contempt resolution approved; referral sent to DOJ, with any prosecution or court outcome still separate.

Sources reviewed: Sep 16, 2026 · 11:07 PM EDT

THE STORY

The House approved by unanimous consent a resolution holding billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress after lawmakers said he did not comply with subpoenas in their Epstein-related investigation. AP reports that the matter was referred to the Justice Department.

The House vote is a congressional enforcement step, not a criminal conviction or a verdict on the underlying Epstein allegations or on Black's broader conduct.

ON THE OTHER SIDE

The response.

AP reports that Black's spokesperson said he had cooperated extensively and characterized the dispute differently. The House referral does not itself establish criminal liability; any Justice Department decision, prosecution or court outcome would be a separate step.

Dates & scope

Source publication: Sep 16, 2026 · 6:00 AM EDT

Event or conduct: 2026-09-16.

Full chronology and review notes

The House action concerns a subpoena dispute in the Epstein investigation; it is not a criminal conviction or a finding that a subpoena target participated in Epstein's crimes.

Source review: Sep 16, 2026 · 11:07 PM EDT

This is a dated report. The source-review time records when the linked sources were checked; it is not a live update.

Coverage is non-exhaustive. Our source-review standards →

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DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Open the original record.

  1. Associated Press: House holds billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein investigation ↗

    Reporting - published September 16

  2. U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Chairman Comer statement after House approves Leon Black contempt resolution ↗

    Primary - published September 16

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