Billionaire Leon Black has filed a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), alleging the congressman made false statements about Black’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, centers on Garcia’s claims that Black was “at the center” and “directly involved” with Epstein’s crimes, allegations Black denies. Black, a former Wall Street private equity investor and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, has been the subject of scrutiny and a House Oversight Committee investigation regarding his ties to Epstein.
Black stepped down from Apollo in 2021 following an internal review that found he wasn’t involved in Epstein’s criminal activities, though it did reveal a business relationship. The House Oversight Committee, led by Garcia, subpoenaed Black for testimony, and later held him in contempt after he refused to fully comply. Black had previously sued the committee to block the subpoenas and related non-disclosure agreements, a case that remains ongoing. He sat for a voluntary interview with the committee over the summer but left before its completion.
In a statement, Black asserts he has never abused a woman, been with an underage woman, been involved with sex trafficking, or paid Epstein for women. Garcia, in response to Black’s initial lawsuit against the committee, stated Black “funded Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of women” and that “multiple women have also accused Black of sexual assault.” The Justice Department has stated it will review the contempt referral, but has not filed charges against Black. With Democrats set to take control of the House in January, Garcia is poised to become the new chair of the Oversight Committee.
Our reading is that this lawsuit represents an escalation of the conflict between Black and Garcia, stemming from the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Epstein. Black appears to be attempting to proactively control the narrative and shield information through legal action, while Garcia continues to publicly link Black to Epstein’s crimes. The timing, with Garcia poised to chair the Oversight Committee, suggests Black is anticipating increased scrutiny and seeking to limit the damage.
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