The US Virgin Islands unveiled new accusations in opposition to JPMorgan Chase over the financial institution’s ties to former shopper Jeffrey Epstein, together with executives discussing how the disgraced late financier surrounded himself with “nymphettes.”
JPMorgan countered that the US Virgin Islands was additionally accountable for allowing Epstein’s sexual abuse of younger girls and teenage ladies, saying the territory used its powers to allow these crimes.
The financial institution accused the territory of facilitating visas that allowed Epstein to carry victims, and of “wanting the opposite approach” every time Epstein arrived at native airports accompanied by younger girls and ladies.
Both units of accusations had been made in dueling Monday evening filings in Manhattan federal court docket.
The US Virgin Islands is suing JPMorgan for a minimum of $190 million, saying the financial institution ignored purple flags about Epstein as a result of he was a rich and profitable shopper from 1998 to 2013.
Ahead of a scheduled Oct. 23 trial, the US Virgin Islands needs a decide to declare that JPMorgan participated in Epstein’s intercourse trafficking and obstructed legislation enforcement.
Its filings embrace many new particulars concerning the New York-based financial institution’s alleged conduct, together with greater than $25 million of funds to Epstein’s affiliate Ghislaine Maxwell, and a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} paid to Epstein’s victims.
They additionally quoted a Sept 2012 e-mail from a senior JPMorgan govt to Mary Erdoes, now the financial institution’s asset and wealth administration chief, evaluating one other shopper’s home to Epstein’s.
“Reminded me of JE’s home, besides it was extra tasteful, and fewer nymphettes,” the manager wrote. “More just like the Frick [museum]. Art was fabulous.”
“Wow,” Erdoes responded.
JPMorgan, in distinction, needs the decide to declare that the US Virgin Islands’ shouldn’t be in a position to search financial reduction, and that the territory’s declare the financial institution obstructed legislation enforcement be denied.
The financial institution has already faulted the US Virgin Islands for having a comfy relationship with Epstein, the place prime officers gave him tax breaks and waived sex-offender monitoring necessities in trade for money and items.
Epstein had owned two non-public islands inside the territory, and allegedly purchased the second to maintain folks from spying on his sexual abuses on the primary.
The US Virgin Islands has already acquired greater than $105 million from Epstein’s property, and reached a settlement with billionaire Leon Black, a former Epstein good friend.
JPMorgan agreed final month to pay $290 million to settle a separate lawsuit by dozens of Epstein accusers.
Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail whereas awaiting trial for intercourse trafficking.
The case is US Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-10904.
