A bombshell lawsuit filed against JPMorgan Chase in December 2022 by the U.S. Virgin Islands—and a related class-action by Epstein victims settled in June 2023 for $290 million—has resurfaced amid the 2025 Epstein file releases, accusing the bank of being “well aware” of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking activities while profiting from them, with particular scrutiny on former executive Jes Staley’s close ties.
The Virgin Islands suit, settled for $75 million in September 2023 without admission of liability, alleged JPMorgan facilitated Epstein’s crimes by ignoring red flags like large cash withdrawals and payments to young women, even after his 2008 conviction. Staley, Epstein’s primary banker at JPMorgan until 2013, exchanged over 1,200 emails with him, some sexually suggestive, and visited Epstein’s island. JPMorgan sued Staley in 2023 to claw back compensation, settling confidentially later that year, blaming him for concealing Epstein’s conduct.
Unsealed documents in October 2025, including JPMorgan’s suspicious activity reports flagging $1.1 billion in transactions “consistent with human trafficking,” have revived the case’s relevance. No new lawsuit emerged in February 2024, but related motions to unseal records (e.g., Staley’s March 2024 bid to seal evidence) fueled headlines. Survivors, including those represented by Bradley Edwards, hail the disclosures as validating Giuffre’s Nobody’s Girl (October 21, 2025) claims of elite complicity.
The resurfaced suits underscore banking failures enabling Epstein’s empire, with calls for further probes as December 19’s full release looms.
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