Leon Black Sues Oversight Chair Robert Garcia Over Epstein Remarks
The billionaire filed a defamation claim in New York, citing allegations that he was directly involved in crimes.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
Leon Black filed a defamation lawsuit against Representative Robert Garcia on Wednesday. The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York. Black claims Garcia knowingly and willfully lied about him.
Garcia currently serves as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. He has led the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit references specific comments where Garcia stated that Black was at the center of and directly involved with Epstein’s crimes.
Black, a former Wall Street private equity investor, has a history of friction with the committee. In September, the Republican-led panel unanimously voted to hold him in contempt. This vote followed his refusal to comply with subpoenas. The committee had previously issued subpoenas to compel him to answer questions he did not address during a voluntary interview.
Black left that closed-door interview before it ended. He did not appear for a later deposition. He then sued the committee to block subpoenas for his appearance and related nondisclosure agreements. That legal case is still being litigated. No criminal charges have been filed against Black.
In a statement regarding the new suit, a spokesperson for Black listed specific denials. The spokesperson wrote that Black has never abused a woman, been with an underage woman, or been involved with sex trafficking. The spokesperson also stated that Black never paid Epstein for women.
Garcia had previously responded to a separate lawsuit Black filed against the committee. In a September statement, Garcia said Black funded Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of women. Garcia added that multiple women accused Black of sexual assault. He called Black’s connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate unacceptable. A spokesperson for Garcia did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit.
Black stepped down from Apollo Global Management in 2021. He left after the firm conducted an independent review of his ties to Epstein. The review found that Black was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. The Justice Department said in September that it would review the contempt referral carefully. Democrats are set to take control of the House in January. Garcia is positioned to become the new chair of the Oversight Committee.
