Leon Black Sues Rep. Garcia Over Epstein Remarks, Alleges Defamation

WHO:

NBC News - Leon Black, a billionaire and former Wall Street private-equity investor, sued Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

NBC News - Black had a business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and co-founded Apollo Global Management.

NBC News - Garcia’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

NBC News - A spokesperson for Black made a statement defending him.

NBC News - The Republican-led House Oversight Committee investigated Epstein and issued subpoenas to Black.

NY Post - Black sued Garcia over comments connecting him to Epstein’s crimes.

WHAT:

NBC News - Black filed a defamation lawsuit alleging Garcia “has knowingly and willfully lied about Leon Black and defamed him.”

NBC News - The lawsuit cites Garcia’s statements that Black was “at the center” and “directly involved” with Epstein’s crimes.

NY Post - The lawsuit seeks $7.25 million in damages.

NBC News - Garcia said Black had “funded Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of women.” He also said, “Multiple women have also accused Black of sexual assault. His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable.”

NBC News - Black’s spokesperson said: “he has never abused a woman; he has never been with an underage woman; he has never been involved with sex trafficking; and, he never paid Epstein for women.”

NBC News - The committee voted unanimously to hold Black in contempt over his refusal to comply with subpoenas; no charges have been filed against him.

NBC News - Black attended a voluntary, closed-door, transcribed committee interview but left before it concluded, later did not appear for a deposition, and sued to block subpoenas and nondisclosure agreements tied to Epstein. The case remains in litigation.

NBC News - Apollo’s independent review found Black was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities; Black has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein.

NBC News - Black stepped down from Apollo in 2021 after the firm’s review of his Epstein ties.

NBC News - With Democrats set to take control of the House, Garcia is poised to become Oversight Committee chair.

WHERE:

NBC News - Black filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of New York.

NBC News - The Justice Department said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia would review the contempt referral.

WHY:

NBC News - Black sued over Garcia’s public remarks linking him to Epstein’s crimes, which Black alleges were defamatory.

NBC News - The committee sought to compel Black to answer questions it said he had not answered.

HOW:

NBC News - The committee issued subpoenas, and the House voted to hold Black in contempt after he did not appear for a later deposition.

NBC News - The Justice Department said the U.S. Attorney’s Office would review the referral carefully and “will not hesitate to pursue additional cases where the evidence supports.”

(UPDATED November 5, 2026 03:01 UTC)

Leon Black sued Representative Robert Garcia for defamation over comments linking him to Epstein’s crimes. Black seeks $7.25 million, alleging Garcia knowingly made false claims; he denies wrongdoing. The House held Black in contempt over subpoenas, and federal prosecutors will review the referral.