Billionaire Leon Black has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Rep. Robert Garcia, alleging the congressman made false and malicious public comments tying him to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks $7.25 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Black asserts that Garcia's statements have caused him significant harm, including threats to his safety and damage to his business and philanthropic endeavors.
Garcia's comments came weeks after the House of Representatives approved a resolution holding Black in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the House Oversight Committee. The committee was investigating Epstein's alleged sex trafficking network.
In a TV interview, Garcia stated that Black was "at the center of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes" and "one of the last people to actually interact" with Epstein before his death. Garcia also claimed to have spoken with survivors who credibly named Black as being involved in the "direct abuse of women."
Black's lawyers have maintained that he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct. He had previously appeared for a voluntary interview with the committee in June, where he denied any awareness of Epstein's activities.
Black, who co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management, stepped down in 2021 amidst fallout from his past ties to Epstein. Lawmakers have alleged that Black paid Epstein approximately $180 million over several years. A 2021 review commissioned by Apollo found that Black paid Epstein $158 million between 2012 and 2017 for "bona fide tax, estate planning and other related services," according to the review. Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.