In Cheri Pierson’s lawsuit, it states that the violent sexual assault took place in a meeting pre-arranged by Jeffrey Epstein in which she would purportedly give Leon Black a massage for money. “Black had the opportunity and the means to rape Ms. Pierson that day,” the lawsuit also said, and it went on to characterize Epstein as Black’s close friend and confidant (via NBC News). The suit then goes on to describe the physical nature of Black’s alleged attack in graphic detail.
As The Daily Beast goes on to explain, Pierson’s suit claims that other girls were involved with Black. They were allegedly groomed by Epstein and then traded to Black, among other men, once the girls aged passed a point Epstein was interested. Pierson’s suit read (via The Daily Beast), “Black, thereafter, became involved sexually with these women, at least several of whom had been with Epstein for years while underage. There can be no doubt that Black knew about their prior involvements with Epstein, indeed, that is how they were introduced to Black.” According to Pierson, she first met Epstein and subsequently Black through the late financier’s one-time girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell (pictured). Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in New York for sex trafficking, according to BBC News.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).