Staley Testifies Regarding Epstein and Snow White Costume
In a recent House committee meeting, former Barclays CEO Jess Staley expressed uncertainty about whether he had met a woman in a Snow White costume through the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This information, shared by someone acquainted with the private session, highlights Staley’s complicated ties to Epstein.
Staley asserted that he had severed connections with Epstein after assuming control of Barclays in 2015. However, during the same inquiry, he acknowledged a sexual relationship with an assistant associated with one of his financial partners. Notably, he denied any links to the woman dressed as Snow White.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department disclosed a series of emails from Staley’s accounts while he was with JPMorgan’s private bank. These communications, totaling around 1,200 between 2008 and 2012, indicated ongoing discussions with Epstein.
In a letter dated July 9, 2010, Staley wrote to Epstein, joking, “Maybe they’re tracking you?? It was fun. Say hello to Snow White.” The next day, he further inquired, “Do you want a hat character next?” to which Epstein humorously responded with “Beauty and the Beast.”
On July 10, 2010, another unidentified email sender mentioned, “Snow White was fed twice as soon as she put on her costume,” hinting at the bizarre nature of their correspondence.
Emails within the Epstein archives also documented a fund manager expressing a desire to photograph an unidentified woman in her Snow White outfit, to which she eagerly replied, “You’ll get it!”
Staley reportedly received a redacted unsolicited photograph from Epstein in December 2009, adding to the peculiar exchanges. A source familiar with Staley’s committee testimony noted that he provided additional details about consensual encounters with Epstein’s assistants at the financier’s New York apartment.
Staley, who left Barclays in 2021 following an investigation into his connections with Epstein, had previously denied knowledge of any discussions involving women dressed as Disney princesses during prior legal proceedings. Correspondence concerning this issue was referenced in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ lawsuit, which accused JPMorgan of enabling Epstein’s trafficking activities. JPMorgan settled this lawsuit for $75 million and reached a nondisclosed agreement with Staley.
This year, JPMorgan also compensated $290 million to settle claims arising from Epstein’s victims. Following these developments, the bank directed Staley to close all accounts linked to Epstein.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) remarked before meeting with Staley that discussions had occurred within JPMorgan about Epstein being a high-risk client, noting, “Jess Staley was the only one who continued to defend Mr. Epstein.” He added, “We know that he was very close friends with Mr. Epstein.”
Despite denying a close relationship with Epstein in court, Staley admitted during his testimony that he had visited former clients in Florida while Epstein was serving a prison sentence for soliciting sexual acts from a minor.
Furthermore, it was suggested that Staley had witnessed significant cash withdrawals made by Epstein from his JPMorgan accounts.
The committee has conducted 19 interviews in its investigation into the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein’s case and the related release of documents concerning the late financier and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Leon Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management, had also been questioned by the House Oversight Committee and is anticipated to disclose non-disclosure agreements related to women linked to Epstein.
Staley’s attorney did not respond to requests for comments regarding these proceedings.
