JP Morgan sues Jes Staley for Jeffrey Epstein links

New York court filing claims that former banking executive observed the trafficking of an underaged girl

Barclays' former chief executive Jes Staley at 10 Downing Street in London, 2018. Reuters

JP Morgan Chase is suing former high-level executive Jes Staley over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, naming him as the official involved in a sexual assault case against the firm, court filings have shown.

The financial services company was facing legal proceedings in cases brought forward by the US Virgin Islands and an unnamed woman who said she was a victim of Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme, which involved a JP Morgan employee.

The defendant, known only as Jane Doe 1, alleged that Epstein's scheme had been aided by the firm providing him with financial services while knowing — through the employee — about his criminal activities.

In a New York federal court filing on Wednesday, the Wall Street behemoth identified Mr Staley — whom it employed from 1979 to 2013 — as the representative in question. Mr Staley later became chief executive of Barclays before resigning from the UK bank in 2021.

The original lawsuit alleges that Mr Staley “personally observed Doe as a sex trafficking and abuse victim at times including through his departure from JP Morgan in 2013".

While JP Morgan does not admit to any of the charges in the original filing, its lawsuit would make Staley directly liable for any penalties if the firm is held responsible.

“At all times during his employment, Staley had a duty of loyalty to JPMC [JP Morgan], and he was required to act in good faith in JPMC's best interests,” the firm said. It added that this included disclosing any facts that could damage the company “financially or reputationally”.

Mr Staley affirmed this by signing an annual code of conduct, the firm said.

“To the extent that Staley knew of, participated in, or witnessed sexual abuse associated with Epstein and did not report it to, actively concealed it from, or misrepresented his knowledge to JPMC, Staley, not JPMC, is responsible for any injuries Epstein may have caused to Doe,” the firm said.

Mr Staley stepped down as chief executive of British bank Barclays in 2021 following an investigation into his links with Epstein.

A lawyer for Mr Staley declined to comment to AFP.

Barclays suspended £22 million ($26 million) of bonuses owed to its former chief executive but stressed that watchdogs have made no findings that he saw or was aware of Epstein's crimes.

Mr Staley has previously said his last contact with Epstein was in 2015.

The presiding judge in the litigation, US District Judge Jed Rakoff, on Thursday ordered JP Morgan to produce documents regarding JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon's response to the case sought by the Virgin Islands.

Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages, but served only 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal.

Later facing charges of trafficking underage girls for sex, he died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019.

Trial evidence shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Maxwell and Epstein have been found guilty of sex charges related to underage girls. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Britain's Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell at one of Epstein's properties. Maxwell used her "femininity to betray us" like she was "a wolf in sheep's clothing", one of Epstein's victims said before Maxwell's sentencing in New York.

Epstein and Maxwell, who groomed and procured underaged girls for him. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Epstein, Maxwell and French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel on the financier's private jet, the 'Lolita Express'. Brunel died in prison in February while awaiting charges including raping minors. Photo: Shutterstock

Judge Alison Nathan and Ghislaine Maxwell in a courtroom sketch. Reuters

Maxwell with Epstein.

Maxwell gives Epstein a foot massage.

In a courtroom sketch, FBI analyst Kimberly Meder testifies during Ghislaine Maxwell's sex-abuse trial about a photo, shown on video, of Maxwell massaging Epstein's foot at his home. AP

This photo of Maxwell and Epstein was entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office. Photo: US Attorney's Office / Reuters

US Department of Justice evidence.

Maxwell with Epstein.

British socialite Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls.

Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Another trial evidence image of Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Another evidence photo of Maxwell and Epstein. Reuters

Maxwell reportedly dated Epstein and then became a recruiter of young girls for him.

A photo of Maxwell living the high life entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office.

A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the interior of one of Epstein's private planes.

Epstein's third private plane.

An aerial view of Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands.

An advertisement for a massage therapist shown to the court during Maxwell's trial.

A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the massage room at Epstein's New York house.

Another image of the massage room entered into evidence.

Maxwell once tried for a career dealing with climate change. Getty / AFP

Maxwell attends the 2014 Education through Music Children's Benefit Gala at Capitale in New York. The charity was started by Epstein. Getty / AFP

Epstein's mugshot. He committed suicide in his cell in 2019. Photo: New York State Sex Offender Registry / AFP

A headline from 'The Times' in a London store on December 30, 2021, the morning after a jury in New York found Maxwell guilty of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. AFP

A selection of headlines from British newspapers. AFP

Kevin Maxwell, Isabel Maxwell and Christine Maxwell, brother and sisters of Ghislaine, walk outside the courtroom after she was found guilty. Reuters

Maxwell's lawyer, Christian Everdell, leaves the US Federal District Court after she was found guilty. EPA

Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca, members of Maxwell's legal team, after her guilty verdict. EPA

Maxwell's lead lawyer Bobbi Sternheim leaves the US Federal District Court after her client was found guilty on five of six sex-trafficking charges. EPA

A protester outside court when Maxwell made her first appearance in July 2020. AFP

A protester outside Maxwell's trial. Getty / AFP

A protester holds a placard during a rally in New York City for Epstein survivors. Reuters

Demonstrators rally in solidarity with the Epstein and Maxwell survivors in New York City. AFP

Sarah Ransome testified against Maxwell. AP