Headlining Leon Black: Now This, "Doe v Black" and Is He Heading to be Voted Off the Island

 In the media co-founder of alternate investment firm Leon Black recently had his Camelot moment. 

The lawsuit against him by his former mistress Guzel Ganieva went poof. He headed off legalities by settling with the US Virgin Island about his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. It looked, felt and even to scandal-sniffers smelled like finally the billionaire was making progress on a reputational comeback. Given his wealth and his network he always had a hold on power and influence. He still does. 

Then shade was thrown, and on the same day. US Senator Ron Wyden (D - Oregon) disclosed that a year-long investigation had been conducted of Black. That was related to his tax filings. The advice for that had been provided by Epstein, in exchange for millions and millions in fees. Wyden had questions, which he detailed in a 16-page letter to Black. Here is a copy of that communication. Dragged in the loop on that one has been elite law firm Dechert. It had investigated at Apollo that matter and concluded no wrongdoing. 

Also, yesterday, a Jane Doe, who claimed sexual misconduct when she was a minor, filed a lawsuit against Black "Doe v Black." Represented by law firm Wigdor, she contends rape by Black when she was being trafficked by Epstein. She suffers from mosaic Down syndrom. The alleged offense happened decades ago. 

Black's lawyer Susan Estrich states her client never met Doe and intends to file sanctions against Wigdor. Wigdor has also represented Ganieva, that was until that plaintiff decided to represent herself. Eventually the litigation had been dismissed.

The Friends of Jeffrey web of associations recently has been outed to be extensive, reaching all the way into JPMorgan Chase and Bard College. However, Black, who had been focused on early in this, continues to be a prime media and legal target. Others, ranging from Bill Gates to Bill Clinton, were able to escape the spotlight, after the initial scrutiny. 

Is it Black's extreme wealth - which Forbes puts at $10 billion - which keeps him in the headlines about Epstein? And/or does he lack the likeability which prevents the stickiness of some scandals? Could that harden to the extent that the decision is made to vote him "off the island" and that will be that. There will be no way back to the mainland establishment, at least not in a public way. Underground Black could retain his power and influence. 

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