A prominent law firm representing the woman who accused billionaire investor Leon Black of sexual assault has asked to withdraw from the case — just days before a key hearing into whether it should be sanctioned, according to court records.
Wigdor LLC, which made the request Friday, took on the case of the alleged victim, identified only as “Jane Doe,” after she claimed Black pinned her down inside convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s Upper East Side townhouse in 2002 and abused her with sex toys.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York in 2023, alleged that Jane Doe was autistic and only 16 at the time after Epstein facilitated a “hand off” to Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management.
Black’s legal team said in August that they discovered the woman’s identity and that her family allegedly told them she was lying, including about being autistic.
New York federal Judge Jessica Clarke had given Wigdor until Friday to oppose a motion by Black’s lawyers to essentially dismiss the case, according to a court filing.
Black also is seeking sanctions against the legal employment firm.
A Wigdor spokeswoman told The Post the firm is prepared to file its opposition if it is not dropped from the suit.
Leon Black’s spokesman declined comment.
Wigdor had previously represented another client that sued Black. Guzel Ganieva, who also alleged that Black sexually assaulted her, fired the firm after being counter-sued for defamation
Ganieva had received $9.5 million from Black under a nondisclosure agreement that followed their six-year relationship, which ended in 2014.
Ganieva is pursuing a motion for reconsideration.
Black has sued Wigdor previously for malicious prosecution. Last month, an appeals reversed an initial decision and ruled in favor for Wigdor and dismissal.
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