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Billionaire Leon Black sues congressman over Epstein comments

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 00:21 · Archive

Billionaire Leon Black has filed a $7.25 million defamation lawsuit against California Representative Robert Garcia over comments linking him to Jeffrey Epstein.

Billionaire Leon Black filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Representative Robert Garcia in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday. Black is seeking $7.25 million in compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial.

The lawsuit stems from comments Garcia made in a television interview weeks after Black appeared for a voluntary interview with the House Oversight Committee in June. During that committee appearance, Black denied any knowledge of Epstein's sex trafficking network. Garcia subsequently stated that 'Leon Black is at the center of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes' and that Black 'was one of the last people to actually interact' with Epstein before he committed suicide in prison. Garcia also said he had 'talked to survivors that have credibly named Leon Black as someone that was involved in direct abuse of women and was directly involved' with Epstein.

Black's legal team asserts through the filing that these statements were false and made maliciously. According to the lawsuit, 'Congressman Garcia's knowing lies have caused real and significant ongoing harm to Mr. Black. His physical safety has been threatened, he has received a barrage of hateful calls, emails, and social media posts, and his business and philanthropic endeavors have suffered.' Garcia's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit comes less than two months after the House approved a resolution holding Black in contempt of Congress for defying the Oversight Committee's subpoenas.

Billionaire Leon Black sues congressman over Epstein comments
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In this story: Leon Black · Robert Garcia · Jeffrey Epstein · U.S. House Oversight Committee · U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

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