House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer is requesting that Jes Staley, a former JPMorgan executive and Barclays CEO, speak with congressional investigators about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Due to public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and documents obtained by the Committee, the Committee believes you have information that will assist in its investigation,” Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said in a letter asking Staley to appear before the panel in July.
Staley’s close relationship with Epstein has long been the subject of scrutiny, including by Manhattan federal prosecutors investigating the web of possible Epstein co-conspirators in the wake of his death, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Staley has been accused of advocating to keep Epstein as a JPMorgan client even after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. After JPMorgan Chase was in the midst of litigation over claims that it enabled Epstein’s abuse, the bank sued Staley, in part, for “breach of fiduciary duty” over accusations that he acted in service of Epstein and himself over the interests of the financial institution. Through his legal team, Staley accused JPMorgan of using him as a “public relations shield.” A lawyer for Staley in that case did not immediately return a request for comment.
He stepped in 2021 from the top post at Barclays amid renewed scrutiny over his Epstein ties.
Erica Orden contributed to this report.
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