Epstein survivors' joint statement says the contempt move sends "a clear message that wealth and influence do not put anyone beyond the reach of congressional oversight"
Annie FarmerSigner of a joint press release by more than a dozen Epstein survivors
In a joint press release dated September 16, 2026, more than a dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including Annie Farmer and Dani Bensky, commended Chairman James Comer and the Oversight Committee for moving to hold Black in contempt. They said the move sends "a clear message that wealth and influence do not put anyone beyond the reach of congressional oversight" and urged the committee to "keep going".
“We commend Chairman Comer for showing real resolve in pursuing accountability in the Epstein investigation. By moving to hold Leon Black in contempt, Chairman Comer is sending a clear message that wealth and influence do not put anyone beyond the reach of congressional oversight. We are grateful that he and the committee are continuing to press for answers and refusing to allow powerful individuals to simply ignore lawful demands for information. ... No one is above the law. Wealth, power and proximity to Jeffrey Epstein cannot be allowed to shield anyone from scrutiny. Chairman Comer and the committee have taken an important step with Leon Black. We applaud his leadership and urge him to keep going.”
Original post
Original text
Reporting
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Was the House justified in holding Leon Black in contempt of Congress over the Epstein inquiry?
On June 26, 2026, Leon Black appeared voluntarily for a transcribed interview in the House Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation. The committee said he declined to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements, and Chairman James Comer issued two subpoenas that day, one for a deposition and one for nondisclosure agreements. Black did not appear for the September 3 deposition and sued the committee that day; his attorneys said he had produced the only confidentiality agreement within the committee's stated purpose and that the subpoenas exceed its authority. The committee voted 41-0 on September 15 to recommend contempt, and the House agreed to the resolution by unanimous consent on September 16 with no recorded vote. Comer and Ranking Member Robert Garcia said Black defied the subpoenas, while Black's attorneys called the action retaliatory. The CourtListener copy of the lawsuit docket, last updated September 18, listed no ruling on Black's claims, and as of September 25, 2026 we could not locate a public Justice Department decision on the referral.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Joint press release dated September 16, 2026, signed by Epstein survivors, posted as an image on X. The signature block lists named signers and several signers identified as Jane Doe.
Original text
About this source
Committee roll call sheet for the vote to report the contempt resolution. It records 41 ayes and 0 noes, with 20 Republicans and 21 Democrats voting aye and six Republican members not recorded.
Reporting
About this source
Report on the survivors' joint statement and on the committee's 41-0 vote.
Reporting
About this source
Report on the House vote that names Annie Farmer and Dani Bensky among the survivors who signed the joint statement.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The Oversight Committee had voted 41 to 0 on September 15, 2026 to recommend that the House hold Black in contempt. The release is dated September 16 and was posted on X by Aaron Parnas.
After the quotation
The statement also asks the committee to seek testimony from Alan Dershowitz and Attorney General Todd Blanche, and asks the Justice Department to investigate credible leads from Congress's work.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the decision to hold Black in contempt, the signers commend the committee for moving against Black and say powerful people should not be able to ignore lawful demands for information. They support the action itself and then ask for further steps.
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More from this case
Read the full caseFormer House counsel Michael Stern writes that Black's lawsuit "must fail" and that the committee "is entitled to question Black under oath"
“Black’s lawsuit must fail because it is well-settled that courts lack power to restrain congressional committees from issuing or enforcing a subpoena, regardless of the recipient’s claim that the subpoena violates constitutional privilege, was improperly motivated, or is otherwise unlawful. ... COGR is entitled to question Black under oath in a formal deposition even if Black had answered every pertinent question in a voluntary interview.”Read statement
Sen. Ron Wyden says "Black is doing everything in his power to dodge questions from Congress"
“No surprise Black is doing everything in his power to dodge questions from Congress.”Read statement
Rep. Yassamin Ansari says "Congressional subpoenas are binding, not suggestions"
“The House just unanimously approved our Oversight contempt resolution for Leon Black ... Congressional subpoenas are binding, not suggestions.”Read statement
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- Epstein survivors' joint statement says the contempt move sends "a clear message that wealth and influence do not put anyone beyond the reach of congressional oversight"
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The Dispute Index. "Epstein survivors' joint statement says the contempt move sends "a clear message that wealth and influence do not put anyone beyond the reach of congressional oversight"". First published: 2026-09-26. Last updated: 2026-09-26. https://disputeindex.com/events/2666-in-a-joint-press-release-dated-september-16