Trump ally Tom Barrack goes on trial this week. Prosecutors say he lobbied Trump on behalf of the UAE, which at the time was sending $$ to his investment business. Barrack denies acting as an unregistered agent, making false statements, and obstruction ft.com/content/8fd6d8…

A senior prosecutor who oversaw the handling of sexual assault allegations made by two women against Leon Black has taken a job at a boutique law firm that represents the billionaire financier. The move has angered lawyers representing Black’s accusers. ft.com/content/16161d…

NEW: In 2020, annuities seller AEL fended off hostile bid from Apollo/ Athene by selling stake to Brookfield. Today, AEL buys stake in new Josh Harris venture and Brookfield and other AEL shareholders lose their mind. Story w/ Mark Vandevelde Antoine Gara: on.ft.com/3NPyfHW

A federal judge has ordered a Blackstone-owned sanitation company owned to stop using child labour. Investigators say workers as young as 13 were employed in abattoirs in Nebraska and Minnesota, including some who had suffered chemical burns. ft.com/content/54ab00…

NEW: BARBARIANS IN THE CORN- The biggest names in private equity are chasing a rando Iowa life insurer: on.ft.com/3Vv04HK

StuyTown is Manhattan's biggest rental complex Blackstone bought it for $5.3bn, expecting decent profits Winning the deal required a generous offer: for 20 years, nearly half the units would go to low-income tenants at low rents Then came the election ft.com/content/27bd90…

Blackstone, a huge Wall St landlord, calls time on pandemic-era forbearance for non-paying tenants, files hundreds of eviction lawsuits Execs say the move will boost returns The firm is calling local politicians to warn: no more blanket reprieves ft.com/content/5ac750…

Wigdor, a law firm famed for pursuing Harvey Weinstein and other powerful abusers, has asked to quit a sexual assault case against Leon Black. Black has claimed the case was concocted by a rival who wanted to oust him as CEO of Apollo. ft.com/content/3b2f23…

Thrilled to be a 2024-5 Public Scholars Fellow at CCNY's Moynihan Center, joining an exceptional group of writers and thinkers. I'll write about private equity – the most disruptive financial invention since the stock market – and its impact on our world. moynihancenter.ccny.cuny.edu/2024-public-sc…