New York
CNN
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Former Barclays CEO Jes Staley allegedly exchanged sexually suggestive emails with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a few of which incorporated pictures of younger women, in line with newly unsealed passages of a federal lawsuit.
Those e-mail exchanges allegedly persisted lengthy after Epstein used to be convicted of intercourse crimes in 2008, america Virgin Islands govt wrote in its grievance in opposition to JPMorgan Chase, the place Staley up to now served as a most sensible government.
Staley used to be the individual in large part liable for JPMorgan Chase’s 15-year monetary dating with Epstein. He later become CEO of Barclays, however he stepped down in 2021 all through investigations concerning the financial institution’s Epstein dealings. He isn’t a defendant within the lawsuit and has no longer been charged criminally with any actions associated with Epstein. A London-based attorney for Staley declined to remark at the go well with or his dating with Epstein.
The authentic grievance, filed in December, used to be closely redacted. But the amended grievance, launched through the federal government of america Virgin Islands on Wednesday, backs claims from the sooner submitting that Staley exchanged greater than 1,000 emails from his JPMorgan Chase e-mail account between 2008 and 2012, corresponded with Epstein whilst he used to be incarcerated, and visited his Virgin Islands place of dwelling on more than one events.
“These communications show a close personal relationship and ‘profound’ friendship between the two men and even suggest that Staley may have been involved in Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation,” stated US Virgin Islands legal professionals within the amended grievance in opposition to JPMorgan Chase.
The lawsuit alleges JPMorgan Chase “had a more than close-up view of Epstein’s sex-trafficking” and “ignored obvious red flags relating to Epstein’s accounts.”
Both JPMorgan Chase and Barclays declined to remark at the newly unsealed passages. But after america Virgin Islands lawyer common sued JPMorgan Chase in December — claiming that the financial institution must have identified about Epstein’s actions on Little St. James Island, the island he owned off the coast of St. Thomas — the financial institution moved to brush aside the go well with.
In a submitting on February 1 legal professionals for the financial institution wrote, “[The US Virgin Islands’] lawsuit is a masterclass in deflection that seeks to hold [JPMorgan Chase] responsible for not sleuthing out Epstein’s crimes over a decade ago.”
In the newly unsealed passages, america Virgin Islands govt claims Staley despatched emails from Epstein’s island within the fall of 2009, when Epstein used to be incarcerated in Florida.
“So when all hell breaks l[o]ose, and the world is crumbling, I will come here, and be at peace,” Staley allegedly stated within the e-mail. “Presently, I’m in the hot tub with a glass of white wine. This is an amazing place. Truly amazing. Next time, we’re here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound.”
One month later, Staley allegedly despatched every other e-mail to Epstein: “I realize the danger in sending this email. But it was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long heartfelt, hug.”
Epstein allegedly spoke back through sending a photograph of a tender girl, with the picture redacted within the lawsuit.
In July 2010, the submitting alleges that Staley despatched an e-mail to Epstein, pronouncing, “Say hi to Snow White.” Epstein spoke back: “[W]hat character would you like next?” When Staley stated “Beauty and the Beast,” Epstein spoke back: “Well one side is available.” Virgin Islands legal professionals declare references to Disney princesses have been code phrases for younger ladies.
JPMorgan Chase didn’t flag any of the emails between Epstein and Staley in reference to chance evaluations, in line with the lawsuit: “Moreover, JP Morgan Chase allowed Staley to remain a decision-maker on Epstein’s accounts. JP Morgan Chase even tasked Staley to discuss the human trafficking allegations with Epstein.”
Last November, Attorney General Denise George settled america Virgin Islands’ lawsuit in opposition to Epstein’s property for greater than $105 million, together with an settlement that the property will promote Epstein’s islands within the territory and finish industry operations there.
Epstein used to be discovered lifeless in his jail cellular in 2019. A scientific examiner dominated his dying a suicide.
When he died, Epstein used to be watching for trial on federal fees accusing him of working a intercourse trafficking ring from 2002 to 2005 at his Manhattan mansion and his Palm Beach property, and allegedly paying ladies as younger as 14 for intercourse.
According to the New York Times, Staley has stated prior to now that whilst he used to be pleasant with Epstein, he by no means knew of the allegations past Epstein’s in charge plea.