Prince Andrew was one of Jeffrey Epstein's many famous contacts. He was told that a child sex offender considered former Barclays boss Jess Staley like a best friend and “family”, the court heard
An email package released at the Upper Court in London showed for the first time that it was explicitly mentioned in an incident launched by Staley in the hopes that the prince would overturn a lifelong ban from working in the city.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) claims that Staley lied about the depth of her relationship with Epstein when Barclays wrote to the regulator in 2019 saying that they had “not had a close relationship.”
Watchdog presented an email at Testy Hearing Wednesday. Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC explained how the late investors claimed that the pair was approaching multiple people.
One message sent to Prince Andrew by Epstein in May 2010 stated, “I know I'm watching Jes Staley this morning. He's like a family and 100% reliable.” Andrew is facing intense criticism of his relationship with Epstein, who passed away in August 2019, and is awaiting trial on charges of trafficking a trafficking girl for sex.
Another email sent to Epstein in September 2009 by the DP World boss of Logistics and Port Company, “Did you see my friend Jess Staley, who was promoted to #2 at JP Morgan, get promoted?” Epstein replied: “It wasn't an accident.”
Epstein emailed the DP World Chief in February 2009, saying, “Jes Staley says he will be seeing you for a week starting Monday… he is one of us.”
Mulcahy told Staley that it is unrealistic for a financier to “tell multiple people like brothers if you're close friends and you're not that close. Staley denied this, saying that Epstein believes “willingly mislead and lie about our relationship.”
The court is later shown a series of emails, and it is revealed that the pair called each other “family” and that Staley was asked to become the trustee of Epstein's property, but Staley says he declined.
Mulcahy puts it in Staley that it appears to be continuing “regular contact” with Staley, and even after Staley left JP Morgan, where Epstein was a client, he attempted to arrange a visit with investors.
The FCA lawyer said that until 2014, Staley also sent messages to Epstein every year on the Great Year Day, became “traditional.” Thank you for all the friendships this year. You were very kind and supportive. Next year will all be more freedom, more trade, more building, more things we can do together. Say hello to everyone. Happy new year. “
Staley appeared angry and upset during the lawsuit, especially as she turned her attention to Epstein's relationship with Staley's daughter, especially after she showed an email suggesting that the FCA would “pull the string” to support her through her academic career and doctoral degrees.
Staley asked the judge twice for a break as he accused the FCA of presenting personal information about his daughter, stating that the line of questions was “completely unnecessary” and accused her of adding “behind her skills…behind her skills.”
Mulcahy said: “You say your relationship is professional and is based on assistance to your daughter. You need to explore that to reach your connection with Mr. Epstein.”
The court was also shown to his daughter an email forwarded by his daughter, where he called Epstein “Uncle Jeffrey.”
The FCA lawyer also placed Staley on the point that his relationship with the financial institution was at a cost, especially after Epstein served prison time in 2008 due to seeking prostitution from minors. She suggested that this refers to US depositions, including his financial life, where Staley said he “activities.” JP Morgan is limited because of my relationship with Epstein.”
Staley responded, telling the court: “If that was a limitation, it would have been following the FCA investigation,” Staley responded, telling the court.
Mulcahy asked, “It's easy not to be Mr. Epstein's friend,” and Staley replied “Yes.”
The former Barclays boss will continue to give evidence until the end of the scheduled hearing, which will continue through Friday.
