‘Call me’: FCA releases messages between former Barclays boss and Jeffrey Epstein
The UK’s financial watchdog has released a series of messages between former Barclays boss Jes Staley and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “referring to the strength of their friendship”.
The messages form part of its 79page report, which says Staley and the late billionaire exchanged more than 1,100 emails between July 2008 and December 2012, and continued communicating “between January 2013 and October 2015, exchanging almost 600 emails during that period”.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also notes that Staley visited a number of Epstein’s properties throughout their relationship, including a private Caribbean island in April 2015.
It has provisionally concluded that it was misled by Staley over the extent of the “close personal relationship”, prompting it to fine him £1.8m and ban him from holding senior City roles. He has referred the decision to the regulator’s upper tribunal for reconsideration.
Here we examine some of the regulator’s striking findings from its threeyear investigation:
July 2015: ‘Cross your toes!!!’ – Staley turns to Epstein
In late 2019, Barclays told the FCA that Staley’s last contact with Epstein “was well before he joined Barclays in 2015”.
However, unbeknownst to Barclays’ board, Staley confided in the financier throughout the process to appoint him chief executive of the bank, including in early July when he forwarded an email from Barclay’s nominations committee, commenting: “Here we go.”
Later that month, however, Epstein said: “Better if you not email me. phone only.” Staley followed up with a blank email in August and September, instructing the billionaire in the subject line to “Call my cell” and “call me”.
He went on to thank Epstein in an email with the heading “Friendship” in October, weeks before his appointment was made public. “You never wavered in our friendship these last three years. That means a lot too [sic] me … Cross