Former Barclays CEO Staley said he didn't know about Epstein's “terrible activity”
By Sam Tobin
LONDON (Reuters) – Former Barclays boss Jes Staley said on Tuesday he was unaware of the “weird activity” of serial pedophile Jeffrey Epstein as he provided evidence to try to overturn the financial industry’s ban on relationships with the late financiers.
Staley began the second day's witness box in an appeal against the proposed injunction and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) fine of 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million), saying he was unaware of the sex trafficking allegations against Epstein.
The 68-year-old, who is in a ban in the upper court in London, reveals details of Barclays’ handling of the FCA investigation imposed Steelli, who left the UK bank in 2021 due to clouds caused by regulatory actions.
Staley's efforts to clear his name also shed light on his ties to Epstein, who was arrested in 2019 for sexual trafficking in minors and subsequently detained deaths scrutinized other high-profile colleagues of the financier.
Epstein's crimes also sparked lawsuits against JPMorgan Chase, with Staley serving as the head of private banking and using Epstein as a major client, as well as public figures including Andrew and Staley in the UK.
“Scary Events”
FCA attorney Leigh-Ann Mulcahy asked Staley Tuesday about Epstein's conviction for prostitution in 2008, for which Epstein was briefly jailed, and then Staley visited Epstein while he was at work.
Starley said in the witness's statement that he knew Epstein was “engaged to a prostitute of a minor.”
He added: “This seems to me as an isolated criminal, and I believe a lot of people.”
“I wouldn't have been in a relationship if I knew his horrible activities.”
Staley was sent to Epstein, who was released from prison in 2009, sent an email to Staley, who replied: “I toast your courage!!!”
Murcashi asked: “You clearly think Mr. Epstein is brave-can I ask you why?”
Staley replied: “He was charged, he was charged, he served in prison and released his job at home, and I am loyal to him. Obviously, it's a tough time to be in prison at all times.”
Staley's appeal centered on a 2019 letter to the FCA by Barclays president Nigel Higgins, which approached the British bank shortly after Epstein's arrest.
The letter contained two misleading statements: Staley “had no close relationship” with Epstein and their last contact was “before he joined Barclays in 2015.”
