Leon Black may be deposed in Epstein accusers' Bank of America lawsuit

The billionaire could be questioned in a civil lawsuit against the bank over its alleged role in facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 5:53pm

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A federal judge in Manhattan has set a hearing to discuss the upcoming deposition of billionaire Leon Black as part of a civil lawsuit brought against Bank of America by women who accuse the bank of facilitating their sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit alleges the bank ignored suspicious payments by Black to Epstein.

Why it matters

This case could shed further light on the financial ties between powerful individuals like Leon Black and Jeffrey Epstein, as well as Bank of America's potential role in enabling Epstein's alleged sex trafficking activities.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that Bank of America ignored suspicious payments by Black to Epstein. A judge has ruled that the accusations that the bank recklessly disregarded information that Epstein engaged in sex trafficking were sufficient to let the proposed class action lawsuit proceed. Black has previously denied wrongdoing and said he was unaware of Epstein's criminal conduct.

  • The hearing regarding Black's deposition is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. EDT.
  • A trial in the case is scheduled for May 11, 2026.

The players

Leon Black

The billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management who allegedly made suspicious payments to Jeffrey Epstein.

Bank of America

The nation's second-largest bank, accused in the lawsuit of facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier who was accused of sex trafficking and died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Jane Doe

The plaintiff in the case, referred to anonymously, who accuses Bank of America of facilitating her sexual abuse by Epstein.

Jed Rakoff

The Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge presiding over the case.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Wednesday whether or not to allow Leon Black to be deposed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking activities and the potential involvement of powerful individuals and financial institutions. The deposition of Leon Black could provide further insight into the complex web of relationships and financial transactions that enabled Epstein's alleged crimes.