Billionaire Leon Black filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, alleging Garcia made knowingly false statements about Black’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, accuses Garcia of defaming Black by claiming he was “at the center” and “directly involved” with Epstein’s crimes. Black’s legal team denied these allegations in a statement, asserting that Black “has never abused a woman; has never been with an underage woman; has never been involved with sex trafficking; and never paid Epstein for women.”
Black, a co-founder of Apollo Global Management, stepped down from the firm in 2021 following an independent review of his ties to Epstein. The review concluded that Black was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities, though it did not address all of Black’s past associations with Epstein.
Background: Epstein Investigation and Contempt Vote
The lawsuit follows a Republican-led House Oversight Committee investigation into Epstein’s crimes, which Black has been subpoenaed for. In September, the committee unanimously voted to hold Black in contempt for refusing to comply with the subpoenas. Black has since filed a separate lawsuit against the committee, arguing the subpoenas were politically motivated.
Rep. Garcia, who is set to become chair of the Oversight Committee in January when Democrats take control of the House, has previously stated that Black “funded Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of women.” Garcia’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit.
Key Statements from Both Sides
In a statement about the defamation lawsuit, a spokesperson for Black reiterated that he “has never abused a woman” and denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. The spokesperson added that Black voluntarily participated in a closed-door transcribed interview with the committee in 2023.
Garcia’s prior remarks, cited in the lawsuit, were made in response to Black’s separate legal challenge against the committee. Garcia’s office has not provided additional comment since the defamation lawsuit was filed.
Legal and Political Implications
The defamation lawsuit introduces a new legal front in the ongoing scrutiny of Black’s past dealings with Epstein. It also raises questions about the political and legal strategies of both parties as Garcia prepares to lead the Oversight Committee, which has been a central figure in investigations into Epstein’s network.
Black’s legal team has not disclosed further details about the lawsuit’s next steps. The case is currently pending in federal court.