Leon Black Sues Rep. Robert Garcia for Defamation Over Epstein-Related Comments

Billionaire Leon Black, a co-founder of Apollo Global Management, sued Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., for defamation Wednesday in federal court in New York. Garcia is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. The suit says Garcia knowingly lied about Black's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. It seeks a jury trial and damages reported as $7.25 million or $7.5 million. It cites Garcia's television remarks that Black was at the center of Epstein's crimes and among the last people to interact with Epstein before his death. It also cites Garcia saying survivors named Black as involved in abuse. Black's lawyers say the statements brought threats, hateful messages and a private security assessment. A Black spokesperson said he never abused a woman and never paid Epstein for women. Black appeared voluntarily in June, but the session ended after he refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements. The committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, then issued subpoenas. The House voted in September to hold Black in contempt, and as of Nov. 5 the Justice Department had not filed charges. Garcia's office did not immediately comment. Democrats take control of the House in January, and Garcia is expected to chair the committee.

The Guardian and NBC News, on the left, add background the right leaves out. Both note the contempt vote and Garcia's role; the Guardian adds the DOJ's lack of charges and the $170 million Epstein payments. NBC quotes Garcia's September statement that Black funded Epstein's abuse and that multiple women accused him of assault, alongside Black's denial. The Washington Examiner, on the right, centers on the complaint: Garcia's quotes, the security threats, and Black's argument that national TV appearances exceed a congressman's role. It omits the contempt history and Garcia's rebuttal. ZeroHedge, the alternative source, differs by suggesting the suit was timed to Democrats' election win.