JP Morgan CEO Unaware Of Epstein Arrest

The CEO of JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon, said in court that he cannot recall hearing about Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a convicted sex trafficker who abused teenage girls. The bank is being accused of ignoring the bad signs, including large cash withdrawals made by Epstein. However, Jamie Dimon has denied this.

The Guardian obtained transcripts of Dimon's deposition. In it, he was asked if he knew about Jeffrey Epstein before he got arrested. Dimon said he couldn't remember. He only found out about Epstein after he got arrested and news about his connections came out. Dimon said he was surprised he didn't know about it sooner.

Last week, a deposition was recorded in New York. It was given as part of a claim by Epstein victims and the US Virgin Islands. They want JP Morgan to pay for Epstein's abuse of girls and women. They say JP Morgan continued to do business with him for six years after he was charged with sex crimes in Florida.

JPMorgan rejected the allegations and took legal action against Jes Staley. He was an ex-senior employee and later CEO of Barclays. The bank claims he covered up Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. They say he did it to keep Epstein as a client. JPMorgan also made a counter-claim against the government of the US Virgin Islands. They believe Epstein had a "quid pro quo relationship" with some of the highest officials over 20 years.

JP Morgan says Cecile deJongh helped Epstein abuse women and girls. She assisted him in influencing politicians and avoiding sex offender laws. She also helped his victims get work and visas. Cecile deJongh is the wife of former US Virgin Islands’ governor John deJongh.

Dimon stated that an email from Epstein's office about a meeting with him and Staley at Epstein's house was wrong. The deposition is 416 pages long.

Dimon said he never met nor had an appointment with Jeff Epstein. He also never went to his house or had a meal with him. He has no idea what they are talking about.

He said, "To my knowledge, I don't think Jeff Epstein ever set up a meeting for me with anyone."

Dimon admitted that he is sorry for the bank's decision to still do business with Epstein even after he pleaded guilty to a crime. He mentioned that the bank continued to bank him.

Dimon said executives at the bank didn't talk about Epstein and blamed the general counsel, Steve Cutler, for "exiting" Epstein. Cutler sent an email in 2011 saying Epstein was not honorable and shouldn't be a client.

Mary Erdoes, JP Morgan's asset management chief, stated she only met Epstein twice. She dismissed Epstein after Staley left the bank during their second meeting. Dimon thought Cutler and Erdoes did the right thing.

Staley might have his deposition in the case taken next week. He said he talked to Dimon about keeping Epstein as a client. The plaintiffs haven't taken his deposition yet.

The interviewer asked Dimon if he knew in 2010 that Epstein was a sex trafficker and if he would have dropped him as a client. Dimon said yes, he and everyone else would have taken that position if they had known then what they know now.

Dimon was asked if he knew about a transfer of funds from Epstein's account to Maxwell. They both banked with JP Morgan. The funds were used to buy a helicopter to take girls to Epstein's private island. Dimon said he didn't know then and still doesn't know.

The lawyer for the victim in the USVI suit, Brad Edwards, spoke after Dimon's deposition. Edwards said that it had become "clear" that Epstein needed JP Morgan's help to run his sex trafficking operation.

The banker is blaming each other for the problem. The banker points a finger at the other. The finger-pointing is unbelievable. The banker claims it's not their fault. The responsibility belongs to the bank. Edwards said this.