Leon Black Deposition Delayed in Epstein Accusers' Bank of America Lawsuit

Judge Jed Rakoff delayed Leon Black's deposition in the Epstein accusers' lawsuit against Bank of America from March 16 to March 26, after Black's lawyer indicated a settlement may be close. The case alleges BofA facilitated Epstein's operations, with Black having transferred $170M to Epstein through BofA accounts.

A U.S. judge has pushed back the scheduled deposition of Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, in a civil lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Epstein's accusers against BAC (Bank of America). Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff rescheduled the deposition from March 16 to March 26 after Black's attorney, Michael Carlinsky, indicated the parties may be nearing a settlement — potentially making the deposition unnecessary.

The proposed class-action lawsuit accuses Bank of America of facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking operations by maintaining his accounts despite red flags. According to court filings, Black transferred approximately $170 million to Epstein through Bank of America accounts. Black is not a defendant in the suit and has not been charged with any crimes — he has consistently denied wrongdoing. Judge Rakoff granted the delay but stipulated that no further postponements would be allowed.

The case carries significant implications for BAC and the broader financial sector's liability exposure in Epstein-related litigation. APO (Apollo Global Management), which Black co-founded, could also face reputational spillover depending on the testimony's content. Investors are closely watching whether a settlement materializes before the March 26 deposition date, as sworn testimony from Black could reveal new details about the financial relationships that sustained Epstein's network.