Leon Black Sues House Oversight Ranking Member Over Epstein Claims

Leon Black, the former co-founder of Apollo Global Management, filed a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Robert Garcia on Wednesday. The case was lodged in the Southern District of New York and targets specific remarks made by the California Democrat regarding Black’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

In the complaint, Black asserts that Garcia has knowingly and willfully lied about him. The suit points to public statements in which Garcia described Black as being at the center of and directly involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. Black’s legal team argues these characterizations constitute defamation.

Garcia currently serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. The panel, which is currently led by Republicans, has investigated Epstein’s business and personal dealings for several years. In September, the committee voted unanimously to hold Black in contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with subpoenas issued during that investigation.

A spokesperson for Garcia did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the new lawsuit. Previously, in September, Garcia responded to a separate suit filed by Black against the committee. At that time, Garcia stated that Black funded Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of women. He added that multiple women have accused Black of sexual assault and that his lack of cooperation with investigators was unacceptable.

Black’s representatives issued a statement on Wednesday addressing the new filing. They wrote 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 has consistently denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

Black stepped down from Apollo Global Management in 2021 following an independent review of his ties to Epstein. That review concluded he was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. During the summer, Black participated in a voluntary closed-door interview with the Oversight Committee but left before it concluded. Lawmakers subsequently issued subpoenas for answers and documents, including nondisclosure agreements tied to Epstein. Black failed to appear for a later deposition and sued the committee to block the subpoenas. That case remains in litigation.

The legal dispute occurs as Democrats prepare to take control of the House in January. That shift would place Garcia in line to chair the Oversight Committee. In a statement issued on September 16, the Justice Department said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia would review the contempt referral carefully. The department noted it would not hesitate to pursue additional cases where evidence supports it. No charges have been filed against Black.