Epstein-linked Leon Black waged bid to ‘silence’ law firm and accusers, suit says

Epstein-linked Leon Black waged bid to ‘silence’ law firm and accusers, suit says Wigdor LLP accuses billionaire of trying to ‘destroy those who seek to hold him to account for alleged sexual assault’ A law firm that represented multiple women who accused former Jeffrey Epstein associate Leon Black of sexual misconduct alleged in a Manhattan civil suit on Monday that the powerful financier deployed “multiple frivolous and malicious lawsuits” as retaliation for representing these accusers. Wigdor LLP claimed Black, who co-founded and formerly chaired Apollo Global Management, tried “to use his billions to buy his own form of justice” and “to weaponize the civil justice system to silence and destroy those who seek to hold him to account for alleged sexual assault”. Black has emphatically denied all wrongdoing. Lawyers for Black also strongly disputed the claims made in Wigdor’s suit. “This lawsuit is another bogus attempt by Wigdor to attack Mr Black under false pretenses,” said Black’s attorney, Susan Estrich of Estrich Goldin. One of the three lawsuits cited by Wigdor involved Black accuser Guzel Ganieva, who sued him in June 2021 alleging that he “violently sexually assaulted” her for years. Black sued Ganieva and Wigdor, who represented her at the time, that October, claiming they “conspired to harm” him; this civil action was dismissed. Ganieva’s civil suit against Black was also dismissed. Wigdor’s suit against Black, filed in New York county supreme court, cites recently disclosed Epstein investigative files that appear to show Epstein plotting with the powerful Wall Street lawyer Brad Karp to try to arrange Ganieva’s deportation. While Epstein and Karp’s discussions did not result in deportation, these 2015 emails also reveal discussions about coordinated surveillance on Ganieva and whether she could be jailed. Epstein on 29 July 2015 wrote to Karp: “Is it possible for your contacts to 1 get her current visa status ? 2. Is there a way for us to file something ...