Leon Black sues US congressman Robert Garcia for $7.5m over Epstein comments
Summary
Billionaire Leon Black sued U.S. Representative Robert Garcia for $7.5 million, alleging that Garcia made false public statements about Black’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein’s sex-trafficking crimes. The suit follows a congressional inquiry in which Black did not provide all requested nondisclosure agreements or attend a scheduled deposition; Black denies wrongdoing, and Garcia’s office had not responded to a request for comment.Key Facts
- Black filed the defamation lawsuit in federal court in New York on Wednesday.
- Black alleges Garcia said on television that he was at the center of Epstein’s crimes and had been named by survivors as involved in abuse and trafficking.
- Black says Garcia’s statements were false and caused him ongoing harm.
- The House voted to hold Black in contempt after he did not attend a scheduled September deposition or produce all nondisclosure agreements sought by the Oversight Committee.
- As of November 5, the Department of Justice had not filed contempt charges against Black.
- Black has said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and denied wrongdoing.
- Black sued the committee and its chair, James Comer, arguing that its subpoenas exceeded its authority and could expose women’s private information.
- The Constitution generally protects lawmakers from defamation suits over statements made as part of legislative work, but not necessarily comments made to the media.
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