Ex-JPMorgan Chase executive shared confidential bank information with Epstein
Former JPMorgan Chase executive Jes Staley told a US House committee that he repeatedly shared confidential and market-sensitive bank information with Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosures intensify scrutiny of Staley’s relationship with Epstein and of the connections Epstein maintained across finance, politics and business, as lawmakers continue their investigation.
Staley said he discussed JPMorgan’s communications with the Federal Reserve during the 2008 crisis, $44bn of private-bank inflows over two weeks and pending transactions. He said he believed he was authorised to share information, maintained he did not know of Epstein’s crimes, and confirmed he signed documents relating to Epstein’s trust in 2014 and 2015 before declining a trustee role; he led Barclays from 2015 until resigning in 2021.
- Staley admitted sharing confidential JPMorgan information with Epstein.
- He said he believed he had authority to disclose it.
- He also confirmed involvement with Epstein’s estate documents.
New here? Start with this
JPMorgan Chase is one of the largest banks in the United States, and Jes Staley was a senior executive there before going on to lead British bank Barclays. Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy financier who cultivated relationships with influential people in business, politics and finance; he was convicted of sex offences and later faced federal sex-trafficking charges.
Banks handle information that can affect markets, such as customer funds, planned deals and discussions with regulators. Staley told US lawmakers he shared some such information with Epstein, saying he believed he was authorised to do so, and said he did not know about Epstein’s crimes.
The relationship matters because lawmakers are examining how Epstein gained access to prominent figures and whether institutions properly handled their ties to him. Staley’s account also raises questions about the handling of confidential bank information and the extent of his connection to Epstein.