Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management Inc., accused his longtime business partner Josh Harris of orchestrating a "Shakespearean tragedy" to overthrow him and become CEO. These allegations were made in an amended complaint, expanding on a lawsuit initially filed against former Russian model Guzel Ganieva. Black's filing portrays Harris as a villain, akin to Othello's Iago, who conspired with Apollo staff, publicists, and lawyers to remove Black from his position.
Black's claims suggest that Harris capitalized on Black's controversial ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, using them as leverage in his alleged "coup and smear campaign." Black's legal team specifically accused Harris of working with public relations specialist Steven Rubenstein to plant negative stories in the media about Black's past business dealings with Epstein. This campaign, according to Black, was an attempt by Harris to clear his own path to the CEO role at Apollo.
However, Harris maintained he was fulfilling his duties as a board member, aiming to protect Apollo from the fallout of Black's relationship with Epstein. Black's allegations further complicated his ongoing legal battles, including a countersuit against Ganieva, who had accused him of sexual assault. Black insisted their relationship was consensual and alleged that Ganieva was working with Harris and Rubenstein as part of the broader conspiracy to tarnish his reputation and force him out of Apollo. A federal judge in Manhattan later dismissed Black's conspiracy claims against Harris, Rubenstein, and Ganieva, which had been filed under the RICO Act.
