Jes Staley, a former JPMorgan Chase executive, acknowledged to U.S. lawmakers that he repeatedly shared confidential and market-sensitive information about the bank with Jeffrey Epstein, according to a transcript released by the House oversight committee on Wednesday. Staley also revealed that he was once named as a trustee of Epstein’s estate, though he later declined to serve in the role.
The disclosures came during a voluntary, closed-door interview conducted on July 24 as part of the committee’s broader investigation into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, maintained extensive connections with political and business elites, prompting ongoing scrutiny.
During the session, Staley admitted to sharing confidential information, including details about JPMorgan’s communications with the Federal Reserve amid the 2008 financial crisis, a figure of $44 billion in private bank inflows over two weeks, and specifics about pending deals. He also confirmed that he informed Epstein about the bank’s concerns related to large cash withdrawals and that Epstein had been designated a high-risk client.
Lawmakers questioned Staley on a range of topics, including his compensation, client relationships, and plans regarding his eventual transition to Barclays, where he served as CEO from 2015 until his resignation in 2021. Staley defended his interactions with Epstein, asserting that he believed he had the authority to share information when he deemed it appropriate. He maintained that he had a close professional relationship with Epstein but was unaware of his criminal activities.
Separately, Staley confirmed that he had been appointed to a role associated with Epstein’s estate several years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. He signed documents related to Epstein’s trust in 2014 and a trust amendment the following year but later chose not to serve as trustee to avoid association with the estate. He stated he received no compensation for this involvement.
JPMorgan declined to comment on the matter, and representatives for Staley did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The House oversight committee has conducted extensive interviews as part of its probe into Epstein’s network, questioning high-profile individuals including former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Goldman Sachs senior counsel Kathy Ruemmler. The revelations from Staley add further insight into the financial and personal ties Epstein maintained with influential figures in politics, finance, and business.