US Virgin Islands (USVI) Attorney General Denise George filed a lawsuit Tuesday against JPMorgan Chase, alleging that the bank ignored suspicious financial activity and received financial gain from Jeffery Epstein’s illegal activities. The suit claims that JPMorgan participated in a sex-trafficking venture, wilfully failed to comply with federal banking law, and engaged in unfair methods of competition.
The complaint states that JPMorgan not only benefited financially but “knowingly facilitated, sustained, and concealed” Epstein’s trafficking activities. George also claims that JPMorgan failed to act appropriately until after Epstein’s business was no longer financially beneficial to them.
This lawsuit follows after US Virgin Islands settled a civil enforcement action with Epstein’s estate on December 1, with Epstein’s estate set to pay the USVI over $105 million. The action was initiated over Epstein’s criminal activities.
In 2020 the New York State Department of Financial Services investigated Deutsche Bank for failing to identify suspicious activity in Epstein’s accounts, despite being aware of his criminal history and the well-publicized allegations against him. The investigation later resulted in a $150 million penalty for Deutsche Bank. However, the USVI has not named Deutsche Bank as a defendant in the complaint. Two alleged victims of Epstein have also filed complaints against both JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank for their involvement with Epstein.
JPMorgan has not commented on the lawsuit so far.