The former head of JPMorgan’s investment bank wrote effusive emails to Jeffrey Epstein about their ‘profound’ and deeply personal friendship, according to a new report.
Boston-born financier Jes Staley, 66, worked for JP Morgan for more than 30 years until his departure in 2013.
During this time, he cultivated a close relationship with the millionaire pedophile Epstein, staying multiple times at his Manhattan townhouse, New Mexico ranch, and U.S. Virgin Islands retreat.
Staley wrote in one email, obtained by Bloomberg, that he was so enamored of the Caribbean island – dubbed ‘Pedo Island’ by locals – that he wanted to install his own private mooring at the dock on retirement.
Staley as far back as 2006 joked to colleagues about Epstein being surrounded by young girls.
Jes Staley is pictured in January 2018 arriving for a meeting at Downing Street in London, while he was CEO of Barclay’s Bank. He resigned in 2021 amid questions over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
Staley (far left) is seen in an undated photo with Epstein. From left: Staley, Larry Summers, Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Gates and Boris Nikolic
Epstein’s island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Staley said he wanted to retire there
Writing in August 2006 to Mary Erdoes, then a senior executive at JPMorgan’s private bank, Staley described attending a Huggy Bear concert, and said: ‘The age difference between husbands and wives would have fit in well with Jeffrey. What a joke.’
Epstein’s 2008 jailing in Florida on charges of soliciting minors did not end Staley’s admiration.
‘I miss you,’ he wrote in June 2008. ‘The world is a tough place. Hang in there.’
When Staley wanted a pay rise from Jamie Dimon, then CEO of the bank, he turned to Epstein – who at the time was still serving his prison sentence.
‘Tell him [Dimon] a one million dollar increase to 25 million,’ replied Epstein. ‘DO not give in. I’ll try to call you later.’
Staley’s communications have been revealed as part of a law suit filed by victims, accusing JPMorgan of enabling Epstein’s activities by continuing to keep him as a client despite his conviction and prison time, and despite internal warnings from JPMorgan legal advisors.
Staley was among those who urged the bank to retain Epstein as a customer.
Between 2009 and 2015, Staley scheduled 60 meetings at Epstein-owned properties, Bloomberg reported.
It is unclear how many of those meetings were held.
Staley joked as far back as 2006 about Epstein’s surrounding himself with young girls. Epstein is seen in his July 2013 mugshot in Florida, when he registered as a sex offender
Staley sought Epstein’s advice in 2010 on securing his daughter Alexa a place to study science at Columbia University despite what it’s implied were inadequate scores.
Epstein offered to smooth the way, according to Bloomberg, and she was ultimately accepted.
Ben Chang, a spokesman for Columbia, said there is ‘no factual basis to the claims that Epstein influenced the admissions process. From our review, the student in question was highly qualified and excelled in our program.’ Alexa Staley declined to comment, when contacted by Bloomberg.
In January 2011, Epstein was ordered to register as a high-risk sex offender.
Two months later, Staley wrote an email thanking him for his years of friendship.
‘Deby and I were talking tonight about what you have meant to me and to Alexa,’ he wrote.
‘You have paid a price for what has been accused. But we know what u have done for us. And we count you as one of our deepest friends. And most honest of people.’
Staley is pictured with his wife Debora in October 2013
Staley’s emails show him professing gratitude to Epstein for making attempts to connect him to Bill Gates, and to Prince Andrew.
Epstein tried to convince Staley to make Prince Andrew an ambassador for JPMorgan: the deal never took place, but Staley enjoyed fraternizing with the British royal.
‘I must say, getting a Christmas note from the Duke of York is sort of cool,’ wrote Staley, in an email to Epstein.
Andrew was forced to retire from public life over his friendship with Epstein, and a disastrous 2019 interview with British TV show Newsnight, in which he attempted to defend it.
Staley left JPMorgan in 2013, and from 2015-21 was CEO of Barclay’s Bank, based in London.
He was forced out amid questions over his relationship with Epstein.
JPMorgan has said its business with Epstein was a mistake, but it did not assist in his crimes.
‘Any association with Epstein was a mistake and in hindsight we regret it, but we did not help him commit his heinous crimes,’ a spokeswoman for JPMorgan said in an emailed statement. ‘We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was engaged in an ongoing sex-trafficking operation.’
Asked about Staley, the spokeswoman said: ‘Jes is accused of unspeakable acts and, if true, should be held accountable.’ Kathleen Harris, a lawyer for Staley in London, declined to comment.
Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial for child sex trafficking.
His ex-girlfriend and fixer Ghislaine Maxwell was jailed for 20 years in June 2022 for helping procure Epstein’s victims, and joining in his abuse of them.
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