Ex-New York prosecutor entangled in row over lawsuit in opposition to Leon Black

A high New York prosecutor who oversaw the dealing with of sexual assault allegations made by two ladies in opposition to Leon Black has taken a job at a boutique legislation agency that represents the billionaire financier.

The transfer by Joan Illuzzi-Orbon from the Manhattan district legal professional’s workplace to the two-partner agency of Perry Guha earlier this month has angered legal professionals representing Black’s accusers. It additionally threatens to additional complicate the Apollo International founder’s authorized battle along with his former mistress, who he has accused of extortion.

Throughout a 33-year profession as a prosecutor Illuzzi-Orbon rose to change into chief of the trial division and secured the convictions of high-profile offenders, together with Hollywood impresario Harvey Weinstein.

No felony fees have been filed in opposition to Black. Illuzzi-Orbon’s new agency is defending Black in opposition to a civil lawsuit filed by ex-mistress Guzel Ganieva, who accuses him of abusing her throughout a seven-year relationship that began in 2008.

In a letter prompted by Illuzzi-Orbon’s appointment, Ganieva’s attorneys at legislation agency Wigdor demanded that Perry Guha withdraw from the case, in accordance with a number of individuals who described the contents to the Monetary Occasions.

The letter insisted that Perry Guha should relinquish its function to guard the confidential info that Wigdor legal professionals say they gave Illuzzi-Orbon and her employees when she was working for the Manhattan district legal professional, the individuals added.

The dispute is a the newest growth in a rare authorized battle over Black’s previous relationship with Ganieva, who he accused of working along with his enterprise rivals on a plot to smash his status and wrestle management of his Apollo personal fairness empire.

It additionally throws a highlight on a New York law-enforcement institution that has been dogged by criticism over historic failures in circumstances involving distinguished figures, together with Weinstein.

Legal professionals for Ganieva held discussions with Illuzzi-Orbon in her capability as a prosecutor, in accordance with an individual acquainted with the dialog. Ganieva additionally mentioned Black with Illuzzi-Orbon’s employees, as did a second lady who claims she was mistreated by the billionaire, the particular person added.

The second lady, recognized in court docket filings below a pseudonym, has not filed a authorized criticism in opposition to Black, and her identification couldn’t be realized.

Illuzzi-Orbon declined to touch upon law-enforcement issues. A consultant for Black stated he had obtained no contact from prosecutors about any allegations of sexual assault.

Wigdor stated in an announcement that victims mustn’t should concern that “prosecutors who’re duty-bound to guard them find yourself working for corporations that characterize the accused”. The district legal professional’s workplace stated it was “a protected place to report crime”, including that each one New York legal professionals, together with prosecutors and personal attorneys, are certain by strict moral guidelines.

Any procedural problem in opposition to Black’s legal professionals would face a excessive bar. Skilled guidelines enable legislation corporations to rent authorities legal professionals and proceed working for purchasers “even when the previous authorities lawyer would himself be disqualified due to his work on the authorities company”, stated Stephen Gillers, professor of legislation at New York College.

“Factually it’s uncommon, insofar because the agency may be very small,” he stated. “However the rule is the rule, and the rule doesn’t say that it applies provided that the brand new agency is bigger than a sure measurement.”

Perry Guha rejected Wigdor’s complaints. It stated Illuzzi-Orbon was taking part in no half within the agency’s illustration of Black and that it had taken routine steps to keep away from any battle of curiosity.

Illuzzi-Orbon “has the very best degree of non-public {and professional} integrity”, the agency added, and “makes an attempt by Wigdor to impugn her ethics” have been “reprehensible”.

Since Ganieva went public along with her allegations in opposition to Black final yr, each side have sought to enlist the help of New York prosecutors.

Brad Karp, chair of the Paul Weiss agency that has lengthy represented Black and Apollo, final yr known as Manhattan district legal professional Cyrus Vance to ask him to open an investigation into an alleged extortion plot involving Ganieva.

Vance instructed his prosecutors to look into the matter, the Monetary Occasions has beforehand reported. No felony fees have been filed in opposition to Ganieva.

A federal decide earlier this yr threw out a lawsuit through which Black claimed that Ganieva had conspired with one in every of his high enterprise rivals to publicise made-up allegations of sexual abuse. The ruling is below enchantment.

Ganieva’s claims in opposition to Black for defamation and gender-motivated violence are pending in New York state court docket. Black’s legal professionals have branded the lawsuit “a piece of fiction”.