British authorities are examining legal avenues to secure the extradition of financier Leon Black, a longstanding associate of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after he failed to appear at a scheduled deposition in a United States civil case. The development marks a fresh turn in the sprawling Epstein scandal, which has implicated figures across the upper echelons of global finance, politics, and royalty.
Black, a billionaire co-founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Management, has been accused in a lawsuit of facilitating Epstein’s abuse of underage women. He denies all allegations. The deposition was set for 15 April in New York, part of a case brought by Jane Doe 15, who claims Epstein trafficked her to Black’s residence for sexual encounters.
Sources close to the Metropolitan Police confirm that officers have been in contact with the US Department of Justice regarding Black’s whereabouts. While he has not been charged with any criminal offence in the UK, investigators are examining whether his refusal to attend the US hearing constitutes a breach of extradition obligations. The Home Office has declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but a spokesperson said: “The UK takes its extradition commitments seriously. Any request from the United States would be considered in accordance with our treaty obligations.”
Black, who holds both US and UK citizenship, is understood to be at his residence in London. His legal team has stated that he could not attend the deposition due to health reasons, a claim disputed by the plaintiff’s lawyers. “Mr. Black has repeatedly used procedural delays and health excuses to avoid accountability,” said attorney Sigrid McCawley. “We call on UK authorities to ensure he complies with the rule of law.”
The case has reignited scrutiny of institutional responses to Epstein’s network. A 2021 independent review found that UK police had failed to adequately investigate Epstein’s activities in London between 2000 and 2010. Since then, the Metropolitan Police have reopened a number of case files.
Legal experts suggest that extradition is unlikely unless Black is formally charged in the US. “The current matter is a civil deposition, not a criminal warrant,” explains Professor Alice Ristroph of Oxford’s Faculty of Law. “However, if the court finds him in contempt, that could escalate into a criminal matter, potentially triggering extradition proceedings.”
The Foreign Office is monitoring developments. A spokesperson said: “We continue to support international cooperation in tackling sexual exploitation. It is a matter for the independent judiciary.”
Black’s influence extends across cultural and philanthropic institutions. He has stepped down from his role as chairman of the Museum of Modern Art in New York following the allegations. Apollo Global Management has distanced itself from the matter, stating that Black has not been involved in the firm’s operations since 2021.
The story remains fluid. As the US hearing goes ahead without Black, the court is expected to impose sanctions. Meanwhile, British authorities are bracing for a formal extradition request that could test the limits of transatlantic legal cooperation.
For now, the financier remains in London, insulated by an ocean and the complexities of international law. The question is whether that insulation will hold.
