PoliticsTrending
Billionaire Leon Black has sued California Representative Robert Garcia in federal court, alleging defamation regarding comments linking Black to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Billionaire Leon Black filed a federal defamation lawsuit on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Rep. Robert Garcia of California. The lawsuit alleges that Garcia "has knowingly and willfully lied about Leon Black and defamed him."
Black's lawsuit seeks a jury trial and $7.25 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The filing asserts that Garcia's statements were false and made maliciously. According to the lawsuit, Garcia's comments caused Black "real and significant ongoing harm," including threats to his physical safety and damage to his business and philanthropic endeavors.
Black's lawyers specifically cite comments made by Garcia in which the congressman stated that Black was "at the center" and "directly involved" with Epstein's crimes. In a June TV interview, Garcia also stated that Black "was one of the last people to actually interact" with Epstein before Epstein's death in prison. Garcia further claimed he had "talked to survivors that have credibly named Leon Black as someone that was involved in direct abuse of women and was directly involved" with Epstein.
In a statement regarding the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Black said, "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."
Rep. Garcia is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee and is poised to become the committee's chair when Democrats take control of the House in January. The committee has been conducting an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
In September, the Republican-led committee voted unanimously to hold Black in contempt of Congress following his refusal to comply with subpoenas. Black had previously appeared for a voluntary closed-door interview in the summer but left before it concluded. He subsequently sued the committee to block subpoenas for a deposition and for nondisclosure agreements related to Epstein.
In September, Garcia described the contempt resolution against Black as "an important step toward justice and accountability."
Black, a former Wall Street private equity investor who co-founded Apollo Global Management, stepped down from the firm in 2021 following an independent review of his ties to Epstein. That review found that Black was not involved in Epstein's criminal activities.
According to that 2021 review, Black paid Epstein $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for "bona fide tax, estate planning and other related services."
Lawmakers have alleged that Black paid Epstein $180 million during their relationship. No charges have been filed against Black.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Election results show Democrats have won majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, including gains in states like Texas and Kansas, amid concerns over the cost of living and international tensions.
PoliticsTrending
Democrats secured sweeping victories in the 2026 midterm elections, gaining control of both chambers of Congress and several statehouses.
