Topic:World Politics
Leon Black, Chairman, CEO and Director, Apollo Global Management, has failed to appear before a US congressional deposition into Jeffrey Epstein.(Reuters: Lucy Nicholson)
US billionaire Leon Black has failed to appear for a congressional deposition over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The financier has instead filed a countersuit challenging subpoenas from the committee.
He has insisted he knew nothing of Epstein's criminal activities.
Billionaire US investor Leon Black has failed to appear for a congressional deposition over his ties to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prompting calls by Democrats for contempt proceedings.
Mr Black instead filed a federal lawsuit challenging the subpoenas, arguing that US politicians had exceeded their authority by demanding to see non-disclosure agreements he signed with women who have no known connection to Epstein.
"It's a shame Leon Black is hiding behind litigation rather than provide answers to the American people," the House Oversight Committee's Republican chairman James Comer said.
Representative Comer added that the panel would proceed with an "empty chair" in the hearing room for the record and consult members over possible next steps.
The committee's top Democrat, Robert Garcia, called for Mr Black to be held in contempt of Congress, saying he was now defying two subpoenas.
The congressional committee is investigating late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's connections with the elite.(House Oversight Committee Democrats via Reuters)
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, in what was determined to be a suicide.
The scandal has cast a long shadow over President Donald Trump's second term, repeatedly forcing the White House onto the defensive as fresh disclosures and congressional investigations keep it in the headlines.
Mr Trump, a longtime associate of the disgraced financier, fought for months to prevent release of the the Justice Department's so-called "Epstein Files" but eventually signed a law passed by Congress requiring their publication.
The 80-year-old Republican's name appears in the documents repeatedly but he denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any criminal offences connected to the affair.
