Leon Black
Case Notes
Apollo Global Management co-founder; paid Epstein $158M post-conviction
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Leon Black, a billionaire investor and former MoMA chairman, reached a $62.5 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 2023 to resolve claims related to his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The settlement released Black from liability for payments totaling at least $158 million made to Epstein between 2012 and 2017, which prosecutors alleged were used to partially fund Epstein's sex trafficking operations in the Virgin Islands. Under the agreement, Black received immunity from criminal prosecution for acts or events related to Epstein. Black's statement acknowledged he "very much regrets" the payments made for what he characterized as legitimate financial advisory services, though the settlement documents indicate the money was used to fund Epstein's operations.
Connection Types
Known Connections (4)
Determination Timeline
A Jane Doe plaintiff filed a federal civil lawsuit (1:23-cv-06418) in Manhattan federal court through Wigdor LLP alleging that Leon Black raped her in 2002 at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan townhouse when she was 16 years old with autism and mosaic Down syndrome.
Leon Black settled Epstein-related claims by paying $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands, gaining immunity from criminal prosecution for himself, his attorneys, and agents amid allegations that his payments funded Epstein's operations.
Leon Black, a billionaire investor and MoMA trustee, paid $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to settle claims related to his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operations.
Cheri Pierson filed a civil lawsuit against Leon Black alleging he brutally raped her at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in spring 2002. The suit was filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which created a one-year window to bring claims setting aside statute of limitations.
Manhattan District Attorney's office was investigating sexual assault allegations against Leon Black dating back to 2019, including claims from at least four women that he assaulted them in Epstein's Manhattan mansion.
Guzel Ganieva filed a civil lawsuit against Leon Black in New York state court alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence throughout their six-year relationship.
Leon Black resigned as CEO and chairman of Apollo Global Management following public scrutiny over his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein, particularly the Dechert report detailing $158 million in payments to Epstein.
Dechert LLP published a report finding that Leon Black paid $158 million to Jeffrey Epstein between 2012 and 2017 for tax and estate planning advice. An internal Apollo investigation found no wrongdoing against Black regarding his Epstein ties.
U.S. Virgin Islands government issued a subpoena to Leon Black seeking all communications with Jeffrey Epstein and associates since 1998, as well as information about his trips to Epstein's private island, Little St. James.
Document References (45)
Media Coverage (20)
Leon Black - Wikipedia
In 2023, Black paid $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to be released from claims related to Epstein. In July 2023, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee made…
Epstein offered advice to billionaire facing accusation of sexual impropriety
Emails revealed that Jeffrey Epstein personally advised Leon Black on managing the Guzel Ganieva non-disclosure agreement, directing Black's assistant to set up…
Newly Released Epstein Records Detail Financial Ties Linking Billionaire, Art Adviser and Epstein
Newly released files detail how Jeffrey Epstein managed finances for an art adviser who received $2.5 million from billionaire Leon Black, demonstrating the fin…
The Leon Black Files: Epstein Was a Fixer for Billionaire's Deepest Secrets
Bloomberg's investigation using newly released Epstein files found that Epstein served as a personal 'fixer' for Leon Black, helping him manage an angry mistres…
What are the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case?
The DOJ released over 3 million pages of Epstein-related files. DOJ stated its review is complete and 'no further prosecutions are expected.' Ghislaine Maxwell …
Epstein Files: US Reviewed Allegations Against Jes Staley, Leon Black
Newly released DOJ documents confirm that U.S. prosecutors formally reviewed sexual misconduct allegations against Leon Black related to Epstein's New York resi…
Wyden Letter to DOJ, Treasury, and FBI on Epstein
Official Senate Finance Committee document detailing the USVI settlement signed on January 20, 2023, under which Black agreed to pay $62 million to avoid crimin…
Wyden Releases New Information on Financing of Jeffrey Epstein's Operations by Billionaire Leon Black
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden released the $62 million settlement between Leon Black and the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands, wh…
Wyden Releases New Information on Financing of Jeffrey Epstein's Operations by Billionaire Leon Black, Seeks Documents from Trump Administration
The Finance Committee obtained evidence that payments from Black to Epstein were used to fund Epstein's operations. The Finance Committee discovered documents s…
Woman drops lawsuit against Leon Black alleging rape at Jeffrey Epstein mansion
A woman identified as Cheri Pierson dropped her lawsuit accusing billionaire investor Leon Black of raping her in Jeffrey Epstein's New York townhouse. The laws…
Leon Black Rape Accuser Cheri Pierson Drops Lawsuit Against Billionaire
Cheri Pierson's lawsuit was 'discontinued with prejudice and without costs to any party.' No payment was made. Black stated: 'I have never met Ms. Pierson.' Pie…
Leon Black agrees to pay $62.5 million to avoid Jeffrey Epstein-related lawsuits in the US Virgin Islands
Leon Black agreed to pay the U.S. Virgin Islands government $62.5 million to resolve civil claims related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking network. A portio…
Billionaire investor Leon Black is accused of raping teen in Jeffrey Epstein's NY townhouse
CNN reported on the Jane Doe complaint, which alleged Black pinned down the autistic teenager and assaulted her with 'adult toys.' Epstein later found her cryin…
Billionaire Collector Leon Black Accused of Rape of Minor in Jeffrey Epstein's Home
Black's settlement with the Virgin Islands does not cover claims by anyone else against Black, and the settlement can not be used as "evidence of wrongdoing by …
Billionaire Leon Black made a $158 million payment to Jeffrey Epstein. Senators want to know why
Senators sought to understand how Epstein — who lacked accounting credentials and never finished college — could justify $158 million in advisory fees. Black's …
Billionaire Leon Black's $158M payment to Jeffrey Epstein sparks Senate investigation
The Hill confirmed the Senate Finance Committee investigation opened in June 2022. Black refused at every stage to answer questions or provide documents justify…
MoMA trustee Leon Black settles lawsuit with the US Virgin Islands over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
Leon Black, the billionaire collector and trustee at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), will pay $62.5m to the US Virgin Islands in a settlement to exempt …
Lawsuit accuses billionaire Leon Black of raping autistic teenager at Jeffrey Epstein's townhouse
The Wigdor law firm filed a lawsuit against Black alleging he raped a then-16-year-old girl with autism and mosaic Down syndrome at Epstein's Manhattan home in …
Senate panel probes billionaire Leon Black's $158 million in payments to Jeffrey Epstein
The Senate Finance Committee launched a formal investigation into whether Black's $158 million in payments to Epstein between 2012 and 2017 were part of a strat…
Financier and MoMA Trustee Leon Black Agrees to Pay $62.5 Million to Settle Jeffrey Epstein-Related Claims in the Virgin Islands
Leon Black, the embattled former chairman of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, has reached a $62.5 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands over clai…
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