Leon Black Sues Rep. Robert Garcia for Defamation Over Epstein Remarks
Photo: NBC NewsBillionaire Leon Black, a former Wall Street private equity investor, filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., seeking a jury trial and $7.25 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The suit says Garcia lied by publicly describing Black as central to, and directly involved in, Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Garcia is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Epstein. The Republican-led committee had subpoenaed Black, and the House held him in contempt less than two months ago after he refused to comply. Black gave a voluntary interview in June and denied knowing of Epstein's sex trafficking network. Weeks later, Garcia said in a TV interview that survivors had credibly named Black and that he was among the last people to interact with Epstein before Epstein's suicide in prison. Black's lawyers call the statements false and malicious and say Black has faced threats, hateful messages and harm to his businesses. A Black spokesperson said he never abused a woman or paid Epstein for women. Garcia's spokesperson did not immediately respond. Democrats are set to take control of the House in January.
NBC News, on the left, leads with the lawsuit and adds Garcia's September statement that Black funded Epstein's abuse and that multiple women accused him of assault. It also notes Garcia is poised for a bigger role once Democrats take the House. The New York Post, on the right, reports the same filing but details Garcia's TV remarks, the June interview, the $7.25 million demand and the lawyers' claims of harm. Both note the contempt vote and Black's denials, though NBC cites a unanimous committee vote and the Post a House resolution. Breitbart does not cover the suit in the excerpt provided. It focuses on Garcia's 'LAWYER UP' post on election night and his planned probes of the Trump administration and Epstein files. TMZ's short item matches the basic facts.
How the sides differ Left sources add Garcia's earlier statement and the coming Democratic House majority; right sources detail Black's claims and damages, and Breitbart covers Garcia's 'lawyer up' post instead; alternative sources are brief.
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NBC News leads with the filing and Black's subpoena fight, then adds Garcia's earlier statement, a Black spokesperson's denials, and Garcia's expected role when Democrats take the House.
TMZ reports briefly, citing court documents it obtained, and describes Black as an Epstein friend suing Garcia over comments about his connection to Epstein.
The New York Post details Garcia's TV remarks, the damages sought and Black's lawyers' claims of harm, while Breitbart instead covers Garcia's 'lawyer up' post and planned Democratic probes.