A outstanding regulation agency representing the girl who accused billionaire investor Leon Black of sexual assault has requested to withdraw from the case — simply days earlier than a key listening to into whether or not it ought to be sanctioned, in line with court docket information.
Wigdor LLC, which made the request Friday, took on the case of the alleged sufferer, recognized solely as “Jane Doe,” after she claimed Black pinned her down inside convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s Higher East Facet townhouse in 2002 and abused her with intercourse toys.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court docket in New York in 2023, alleged that Jane Doe was autistic and solely 16 on the time after Epstein facilitated a “hand off” to Black, the previous CEO of Apollo International Administration.
Black’s authorized staff stated in August that they found the girl’s id and that her household allegedly informed them she was mendacity, together with about being autistic.
New York federal Choose Jessica Clarke had given Wigdor till Friday to oppose a movement by Black’s attorneys to primarily dismiss the case, in line with a court docket submitting.
Black is also in search of sanctions towards the authorized employment agency.
A Wigdor spokeswoman informed The Publish the agency is ready to file its opposition if it isn’t dropped from the go well with.
Leon Black’s spokesman declined remark.
Wigdor had beforehand represented one other consumer that sued Black. Guzel Ganieva, who additionally alleged that Black sexually assaulted her, fired the agency after being counter-sued for defamation
Ganieva had obtained $9.5 million from Black underneath a nondisclosure settlement that adopted their six-year relationship, which led to 2014.
Ganieva is pursuing a movement for reconsideration.
Black has sued Wigdor beforehand for malicious prosecution. Final month, an appeals reversed an preliminary determination and dominated in favor for Wigdor and dismissal.
