Billionaire financier Leon Black won the dismissal of a civil rape suit after a law firm behind prominent #MeToo cases, which was representing an accuser, withdrew from the case.
The former CEO of Apollo Global Management, a private equity fund, has been on the defensive since his resignation amid scrutiny of his financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Black said he left that post to spend more time with his family.
Since stepping down from that job — and another position as chairman of the Museum of Modern Art — Black has been trying to fend off lawsuits by two women: Russian model Guzel Ganieva and Cheri Pierson, a New Jersey mother who claimed Black raped her inside Epstein’s New York townhouse. Black has not been charged with any crime.
Labeling Black a “predator,” Ganieva claimed that he sexually harassed and abused her for years, then forced her to sign a non-disclosure agreement a little more than half a decade ago. Black views the dismissal of her claims as a vindication.
“From the very beginning, I’ve made clear that Ms. Ganieva’s allegations against me were false and there was no basis for this suit,” Black said in a statement. “Given how Ms. Ganieva was able to manipulate the legal system and the media, I am gratified that the truth has come out and justice has been finally done.”
Black called her allegations “exceptionally painful to my family, my business partners and friends, and me.”
“Now that this is behind me, I will continue my focus on my family...
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