Barclays boss is dragged into hunt for Epstein cash
THE boss of Barclays has been dragged into the hunt for convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s vast wealth after prosecutors demanded to see correspondence between them.
Jes Staley acted as Epstein’s private banker at JP Morgan for 13 years. Lawyers representing Eps te in’ s victims think Mr Staley’s emails from his time at JP Morgan may shed light on Epstein’s finances as they fight for compensation from his estate.
Legal authorities have petitioned to receive all communications between Mr Staley and Epstein stretching back to 1998, according to documents seen by The Mail on Sunday. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr Staley, or that he knew anything about Epstein’s criminal activities.
Prosecutors for the US Virgin Islands – where Epstein owned two private retreats – have demanded that JP Morgan hand over the information as part of a civil lawsuit against Epstein’s estate.
Denise George, the US Virgin Islands attorney general, wants to see all the information on Epstein’s bank accounts, transactions, and any other services provided by Mr Staley. She has brought in the law firm Motley Rice to assist with legal action.
She has also asked to see any communication about Epstein’s so-called ‘Paedo Island’, Little Saint James, which Mr Staley visited just months before becoming Barclays chief executive in 2015. The island played host to powerful politicians, business executives and members of the Royal Family, as well as the scores of young women violated by Epstein. JP Morgan has also been asked to hand over correspondence about Epstein’s second island, Great Saint James.
Mr Staley has come under pressure to step down as Barclays boss over his ties to Epstein. They remained in contact for seven years after the paedophile’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution.
An attorney at a law firm representing victims said it was ‘crucial’ the public learned how Epstein amassed his estimated £475 million fortune.
Arick Fudali, managing attorney at The Bloom Firm, said: ‘ Jeffrey Epstein used his enormous wealth to ruin countless lives for his own depraved sexual gratification. It is crucial that his victims and the public are able to have a full and transparent understanding of his finances, wealth, power, and influence.’
The US Virgin Islands made 15 requests for information from JP Morgan in a subpoena in May. Its officials have also asked for details of Epstein’s loans, offshore accounts, investments and any accounts that have been shut down. The subpoena demands information on any accounts held by Epstein, his estate, and a list of 18 entities connected to him.
The disclosures could provide details of Epstein’s mysterious finances. He owned three valuable properties, two jets and collections of art, jewellery and cars. But it is not known how he acquired his fortune.
His victims are set to receive a payout from his estate after a compensation fund was approved in June. Seventy women have indicated they want to be included. They claim Mr Staley may have vital information on Epstein that could lead to more proceeds for the fund. Barclays and JP Morgan have declined to comment.
‘Used his enormous wealth to ruin countless lives’