On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Wigdor LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of Guzel Ganieva against Defendant Leon Black, co-founder and former CEO of Apollo Global Management, asserting claims of defamation, defamation per se, intentional infliction of emotional distress and gender-motivated violence.
As detailed in the Complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court, Mr. Black intentionally defamed Ms. Ganieva when he issued a false statement to Bloomberg and other media in which, inter alia, he characterized his abusive and violent sexual relationship with Ms. Ganieva as a “consensual affair” and claimed to have been “extorted by Ms. Ganieva for many years.”
As alleged, Mr. Black’s public statement could not be further from the truth. The Complaint outlines how Mr. Black wielded his money, power and influence to coerce Ms. Ganieva into a violent and abusive sexual relationship for years. As alleged, when Ms. Ganieva tried to free herself from the sadistic cycle, he intimidated her into silence by, inter alia, threatening her with criminal charges and pressuring her to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Ms. Ganieva is represented by Wigdor LLP Partner Jeanne M. Christensen and Associate Lindsay M. Goldbrum.
Statement from Jeanne M. Christensen, Partner at Wigdor LLP:
“This case is the epitome of why #MeToo exists. In textbook fashion, men with wealth, power and an army of elite lawyers continue to escape accountability for their heinous acts by twisting the legal system to penalize their victims for speaking up. Sadly, until prosecutors consistently go after sexual predators that wrongly accuse sexual assault victims of extortion, it is clear that #MeToo has many miles to go.”
Axios
“Private equity giant Leon Black accused of sexual assault”
June 2, 2021
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Bloomberg
“Leon Black Sued by Woman Who Alleges Defamation, Sexual Violence”
June 1, 2021
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Bloomberg
“Leon Black Accuser Asks Court to Toss His Counterclaims”
August 6, 2021
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Bloomberg
“Leon Black Accused of Flying Model to Epstein Home for Sex Acts”
August 9, 2021
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Business Insider
“A woman is suing former Apollo CEO Leon Black, saying he raped her, paid her $1 million, and falsely accused her of extortion”
June 1, 2021
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Business Insider
“A Russian model claims Wall Street billionaire Leon Black flew her to Palm Beach to ‘satisfy the sex needs’ of Jeffrey Epstein”
August 10, 2021
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CNBC
“Woman’s lawsuit accuses Leon Black of defamation, violent behavior”
June 2, 2021
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The Daily Beast
“Ex-Model Who Accused Epstein Pal Leon Black of Sex Abuse Sues Him for Defamation”
June 1, 2021
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The Daily Beast
“Billionaire Leon Black Accused of Flying Model to Epstein’s Palm Beach Pad for Sex”
August 9, 2021
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The Daily Mail
“Wall Street billionaire and former Jeffrey Epstein associate Leon Black is accused of being a ‘violent and sadistic’ sexual predator by a former model who claims he raped her before coercing her into signing an NDA”
June 1, 2021
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The Daily Mail
“Russian model claims billionaire Leon Black flew her to Jeffrey Epsteins mansion for sex attempt”
August 10, 2021
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Dealbreaker
“Leon Black, Jeffrey Epstein Have More In Common Than An Interest In Tax Efficiency”
June 2, 2021
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Financial Times
“Ex-Apollo CEO Leon Black raped and harassed Russian model, lawsuit alleges”
June 1, 2021
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Forbes
“Woman Accusing Billionaire Leon Black Of Sexual Abuse Asks For Texts Recordings He Claims Show His Innocence”
July 20, 2021
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Forbes
“Apollo Billionaire Leon Black Tried To Make Russian Model Have Sex With Jeffrey Epstein Court, Filing Claims”
August 9, 2021
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Hyperallergic
“MoMA Trustee Leon Black Accused of Defamation and Sexual Abuse in Lawsuit”
June 2, 2021
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Institutional Investor
“Leon Black Said He Was Being Extorted. Now He Is Facing a Lawsuit.”
June 1, 2021
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Law & Crime
“Ex-Hedge Fund Exec Who Resigned Amid Jeffrey Epstein Scandal Dubbed a ‘Predator’ in Lawsuit”
June 2, 2021
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Law360
“Former Apollo CEO Accused Of Rape, Defamation In NY Suit”
June 1, 2021
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Miami Herald
“Hedge fund guru tied to Jeffrey Epstein scandal hit with lawsuit over alleged hush money”
June 1, 2021
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New York Daily News
“Billionaire investor Leon Black sued for defamation by woman claiming he forced her into ‘sadistic sexual acts”
June 1, 2021
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New York Daily News
“Billionaire investor Leon Black tried to make woman have sex with him and Jeffrey Epstein: Suit”
August 9, 2021
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New York Magazine
“Leon Black Tried to Sex-Traffic Russian Model for Epstein: Lawsuit”
August 9, 2021
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New York Post
“Leon Black defamed accuser by claiming she extorted him, suit alleges”
June 1, 2021
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New York Post
“Leon Black flew model to Florida to have sex with Jeffrey Epstein, lawsuit claims”
August 9, 2021
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New York Law Journal
“Lawsuit Accuses Former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black of Defamation, Sexual Violence”
June 1, 2021
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Reuters
“Woman’s lawsuit accuses Leon Black of defamation, violent behavior”
June 1, 2021
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Reuters
“Russian model suing Leon Black alleges billionaires ties to Jeffrey Epstein”
August 10, 2021
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Telegraph
“Leon Black’s fightback over rape allegations grips Wall Street”
July 24, 2021
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Town & Country Magazine
“Leon Black in Winter”
June 3, 2021
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Vanity Fair
“You Have to Let Them Do Whatever They Want’: Billionaire Leon Black Flew a Russian Model to Meet Jeffrey Epstein, New Legal Filing Claims”
August 9, 2021
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The Wall Street Journal
“Leon Black Accused of Defamation and Sexual Violence in Lawsuit”
June 1, 2021
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Wall Street Journal
“Leon Black Accuser Amends Lawsuit Alleging Ties With Jeffrey Epstein”
August 9, 2021
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Washington Examiner
“Former hedge fund titan accused of rape, intimidation, and hush money payments in defamation lawsuit”
June 2, 2021
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