Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz is facing renewed pressure from the powerful House Oversight Committee after refusing to testify before its bipartisan probe into Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer warned that the panel would pursue "compulsory" action if Dershowitz does not sit for a transcribed video interview with congressional investigators in early September.
The letter comes after Dershowitz, who served as Epstein's defense lawyer during his 2008 plea deal involving the solicitation of a minor for prostitution, backed out of a voluntary transcribed interview slated for July 20.
According to the letter, Dershowitz's counsel failed to provide a reason for his refusal to testify, prompting Comer to request that Dershowitz participate in a videotaped transcribed interview on September 2.
The Committee will not tolerate any further delay, Comer stated, adding that if Dershowitz fails to adhere to this request, the Committee will explore all available tools at its disposal, including the use of the compulsory process.
Dershowitz has recently expressed interest in testifying about his ties to Epstein, denying any wrongdoing and stating that he has nothing to hide.
However, he has since told his attorneys that he cannot testify to the committee, citing unspecified legal prohibitions.
Comer's letter comes as a bipartisan group of lawmakers has subpoenaed several high-profile individuals to testify before the committee as part of its yearlong probe, including former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
