Billionaire Leon Black filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against Rep. Robert Garcia of California in the Southern District of New York over statements Garcia made about Black in connection with Jeffrey Epstein.1,2,3,4
Garcia is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, which has spearheaded an Epstein investigation, and Black has been a target of subpoenas from the Republican-led committee over his refusal to cooperate. The lawsuit centers on Garcia's comments linking Black to Epstein's crimes, which Black alleges were false and made with knowledge of their falsity.1
The suit alleges that Garcia “has knowingly and willfully lied about Leon Black and defamed him.” It cites comments in which Garcia described Black as “at the center” and “directly involved” with Epstein's crimes. Black, a former Wall Street private equity investor who had a business relationship with Epstein, has denied wrongdoing tied to Epstein.1
A spokesperson for Garcia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. In September, in response to a separate lawsuit Black filed against the committee, Garcia said in a statement that Black had “funded Epstein's abuse and trafficking of women,” adding: “Multiple women have also accused Black of sexual assault. His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable.”1
In a statement on Wednesday about the lawsuit against Garcia, a spokesperson for Black wrote that “he has never abused a woman; he has never been with an underage woman; he has never been involved with sex trafficking; and, he never paid Epstein for women.”1
Black stepped down in 2021 from the firm he co-founded, Apollo Global Management, after the firm conducted an independent review of his ties to Epstein. That review found that Black was not involved in Epstein's criminal activities. Black has denied wrongdoing tied to Epstein, and no charges have been filed against him.1
Over the summer, Black sat for a voluntary closed-door transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee but left before it was over. Lawmakers said he was not answering certain questions and issued subpoenas to compel him to answer. Black did not appear for a later deposition and then sued the committee to block the subpoenas for his appearance and for nondisclosure agreements tied to Epstein.1
The committee voted unanimously in September to hold Black in contempt over his refusal to comply with those subpoenas. The House later voted to hold Black in contempt of Congress. The case involving Black's challenge to the subpoenas is still being litigated.1
The Justice Department said Sept. 16 in a statement that the “US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia will review the referral of Mr. Black carefully and will not hesitate to pursue additional cases where the evidence supports.” No charges have been filed against Black.1
With Democrats set to take control of the House in January, Garcia is poised to become the new chair of the Oversight Committee.1
Black's earlier case against the committee continues.1
