Jes Staley, the former JP Morgan executive, testified before a House oversight committee that he informed JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon about criminal investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, a client of the bank from 1998 to around 2013. Staley, who was responsible for the private bank relationship during much of that time, said he spoke to Dimon twice regarding Epstein: once in 2006 when Epstein was indicted in Florida for solicitation of a minor, and again in 2008 while Epstein was serving a 15-month sentence.
Staley voluntarily appeared in a closed-door hearing at the request of committee chairman James Comer. However, committee members have expressed skepticism about Staley’s testimony, with some indicating an intent to subpoena him for further questioning. Robert Garcia, ranking member of the committee, challenged Staley’s statements, citing evidence from the Epstein files that contradicted Staley’s claim of having no close friendship with Epstein. Garcia described the friendship as “decades-long” and questioned Staley’s credibility.
Despite the committee’s scrutiny, Staley has not faced criminal charges related to sex trafficking and has denied wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein. He left JPMorgan in 2021 and was previously fined £1.1 million and barred from Britain’s financial industry for underreporting the extent of his association with Epstein.
A spokesperson for JPMorgan disputed Staley’s claims, stating no conversation between him and Dimon ever took place and describing Staley as lacking credibility. The bank referenced a UK tribunal that found Staley evasive and unreliable. JPMorgan has faced legal action from Epstein’s victims and the US Virgin Islands, which sought to determine the bank’s knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and its decisions regarding his status as a client. The bank paid $375 million in settlements but later sued Staley, alleging he concealed information that might have led to terminating Epstein’s account.
Staley’s association with Epstein included extensive correspondence—more than 1,200 emails—and personal visits to Epstein’s properties. He has described Epstein as “like family” in those exchanges. Some documents released by the US Department of Justice also revealed unsettling details, such as Epstein requesting an associate to purchase a Snow White costume, which was followed by correspondence between Epstein and Staley referencing the costume.
The Financial Conduct Authority in the UK reviewed Staley’s relationship with Epstein after Epstein’s death in 2019, highlighting ongoing regulatory interest in the matter.