Leon Black Delays Testimony in Bank of America Lawsuit Amid Settlement Talks
New York, Thursday, 12 March 2026.
Former Apollo CEO Leon Black postponed his eight-hour deposition regarding his $150 million ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as lawyers indicate a settlement with Bank of America is imminent.
Adjusting the Legal Timeline
U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, presiding in Manhattan, recently established the parameters for Leon Black’s involvement in the ongoing civil litigation against Bank of America (BAC) [1][2]. During a hearing on March 5, 2026, the court agreed to postpone Black’s deposition by 10 days [2]. Originally slated for March 16, 2026, the billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management is now scheduled to face questioning on March 26, 2026 [2].
Financial Ties and Corporate Defense
The core of the civil lawsuit revolves around allegations by several women who accuse Bank of America of facilitating Epstein’s sex-trafficking operations [1][2]. The plaintiffs allege that funds transferred by Black played a role in sustaining these illicit activities through the bank’s accounts [2]. Between 2012 and 2017, Black transferred more than $150 million to Epstein [2]. Epstein later died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges [2].
Looming Settlements and Congressional Scrutiny
The recent delay in Black’s deposition appears to be heavily influenced by behind-the-scenes negotiations. Michael Carlinsky, an attorney at Quinn Emanuel representing Black, indicated that the involved parties are “very close to resolving this dispute” [2]. A settlement would mitigate the immediate legal exposure for Bank of America and potentially shield high-profile executives from further public testimony in this specific civil matter [GPT].