Leon Black may have too much dirt on Donald Trump for any real accountability. But every step in that direction matters. Besides, public pressure has already worked wonders.
You may recall that billionaire Black walked out of his voluntary interview with the House Oversight Committee two months ago after the questions got a bit too uncomfortable for him. The committee later subpoenaed him, but instead of complying, he sued.
Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) sounded rather ticked off at the disrespect. “Mr. Black is hiding behind litigation to delay having to provide answers to the American people,” Comer said, according to The Hill. “Subpoenas are not suggestions; they carry the force of law and require full compliance.”
“Comer said in addition to failing to comply with the subpoena for a deposition, Black also only supplied one nondisclosure agreement following a subpoena for documents, despite an indication from his attorneys that there were additional documents,” The Hill noted.
According to Forbes, Black was “one of Epstein’s primary clients, paying the financier at least $170 million for tax and estate planning.”
Black could not look more like he has a lot to hide. Here are some hints as to what that could be.
“Black has been accused of sexual abuse in connection with Epstein by at least four women, though he has denied any wrongdoing. (All but one of the lawsuits regarding those allegations have been dropped or dismissed.),” Forbes also reported. Comer has reportedly said that victims have told the committee there are “multiple” NDAs involving Black.
Forbes also included this telling detail: Black “refused to describe Epstein as being his ‘friend,’ however—even when confronted with a letter that he signed, ‘Love and Kisses, Leon.’ (When asked, ‘So do you sign birthday letters to all of your business associates with love and kisses, dear friend? Black responded, ‘Sometimes.’”)
The contempt resolution must now go to the full House floor for consideration, The Hill explained. “If it is approved, it acts as a referral to the Justice Department, which must then determine whether to press charges.”
There is every reason to expect Trump Puppet Mike Johnson will do whatever he can to stop it right there. If it somehow escapes from his grasp, there is little reason to believe the Trump/Blanche DOJ will be any more inclined to hold Trump’s pal accountable.
For one thing, The Guardian noted that Black told Senate investigators looking into Russian interference in the 2016 election that he and Trump “might have been in a strip club together” in Russia.
Also, it turns out that Black’s son, Ben Black, has a cushy job in the Trump administration. He heads what The Guardian describes as “a little-known government investment agency funded by billions of dollars from US taxpayers.” Unsurprisingly, the Epstein Files showed he had personal and business ties to the sex-trafficking pedophile, too.
