Curt Flewelling, FISM News
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has been compelled to give a sworn deposition pertaining to his firm’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Dimon will be questioned as part of two lawsuits, one filed by an alleged victim of Epstein and the other by the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The lawsuits contend that the financial giant was not only well aware of Epstein’s horrifying and illegal behavior but willfully ignored it, as the bank profited from their relationship. Epstein was a former financier who banked with JPMorgan Chase from 1998-2013.
The U.S. Virgin Island suit asserts that the bank facilitated Epsteins alleged sex trafficking and child abuse by allowing him to remain a client and helping him send money to his victims, thereby perpetuating his behavior.
JPMORGAN BLAMES FORMER CEO
JPMorgan has fought to dismiss the lawsuit entirely and has pushed to prevent Dimon from making a sworn statement as to his company’s relationship with Epstein. Judge Jed Rakoff has denied both requests.
The lawsuit alleges that the bank “knowingly facilitated, sustained, and concealed the human trafficking network” that Epstein operated.
JPMorgan is refuting that claim and attempting to absolve itself of any culpability by blaming former CEO Jes Staley for not reporting Epstein’s crimes to the company. JPMorgan Chase is currently countersuing Staley for any damages that the company incurs.
Staley seems to have had a close friendship with Epstein as records claim the pair exchanged more than 1,000 emails — none of which have been made public as of this writing — between 2008 and 2012. According to the U.S. Virgin Islands’ court complaint,
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.
The complaint also claims that Staley visited Epstein’s Virgin Islands residence, known as “Epstein Island” or “Pedophile Island,” multiple times and corresponded with Epstein while he was incarcerated for sexual crimes.
The former CEO acknowledged his friendship with the convicted sex offender but claims he had no knowledge of his alleged crimes.
Dimon is scheduled to give a sworn deposition in May. The case will likely proceed throughout the summer.
EPSTEIN’S ARREST AND DEATH
Epstein was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution in 2008 and was arrested again in 2019 on federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors. A month after his arrest, he was found dead in his jail cell. His death was ruled a suicide but countless people have expressed doubt or outright rejection of that ruling.
His death has left many alleged victims feeling frustrated as his passing resulted in a judge dismissing all criminal charges against him. Many of the victims have decided to sue entities associated with Epstein civilly to obtain justice.