For Enabling Jeffrey Epstein JPMC 3rd Party Complaint on Staley FinCEN to be Summoned?
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 16 – J.P. Morgan Chase and Deutsche Bank were sued for their enabling of Jeffrey Epstein, in lawsuits filed on Thanksgiving in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Inner City Press found them in the docket.
The separate lawsuits allege that "without exorbitantly large amounts of cash, Epstein's operations could not run, as newly recruited victims were each paid hundreds of dollars in cash immediately after Epstein sexually abused them, as hush money."
The JPM Chase complaint is on Patreon, here.
On March 7, 2023 JPM Chase filed a third party complaint against James Edward Staley, including "At no point did Staley disclose to JPMC, nor did JPMC otherwise know, the information about Staley’s personal activities contained in paragraphs 22 through 33.. Staley, not JPMC, is responsible for any injuries Epstein may have caused...." 3d Party Complaint on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here.
On March 13 in order argument before Judge Rakoff, JPMorgan Chase's lawyer amplified this, emphasizing that Staley was not aware of any exchange of money, or of trafficking. Deutsche Bank's lawyer emphasized DB had paid a fine to NYS regulators - that is, they gave at the office. Judge Rakoff promised a bottom line decision by the end of March, if not before.
On March 16, starting after 4 pm and running past 8 pm, Judge Rakoff held a hearing, including settling (most) trial dates and threatening to summon or worse the head of FinCEN, to get the Suspicious Activity Reports or SARs. Inner City Press tweeted, including:
OK - now at Epstein-related case of US Virgin Islands vs JPMorgan Chase, in which Dimon discovery has been ordered, and JPMC has filed a third-party complaint against Jes Staley.
Judge Rakoff: So, I'm not going to move trial dates. For Doe v. Deutsche Bank it's August 8; for Doe v. JPM Chase, and USVI v. JPM Chase, it's September 5. I am willing to move motion dates, but not the trial. Any suggestions? Linda Singer: I'll open the bidding.
Judge Rakoff: Who's here for Mr. Staley? Brendan Sullivan: I'm here, and I'm fine with any date except tomorrow, which is St. Patrick's Day. That's a Holy day. I know nothing about this case. I was only notified of it 8 days ago.
[Judge Rakoff recounted when Brendan Sullivan appeared before him. Looking it up, there are two cases: US ex rel. Edward O'Donnell (2012-14), and Cendant Corporation v. Forbes (1999)
Judge Rakoff: Plaintiffs' counsel, how long a trial, assuming one overall trial? A: Ten to 14 days. Judge Rakoff: What about October 23, for three weeks, which would be more than enough?
Judge Rakoff: JPMorgan has created this situation. The banks had years to know what they thought of him. And they could have served him personally. So JPM has created the problem with Mr Staley. Maybe we should sever it, or justice or pay-back, however you call it
Judge Rakoff rules: I will move the JPMorgan trials, and Jes Staley, to October 23. If Deutsche Bank doesn't want to join it, it can remain August 8. Or Sept 5. Let me know quickly, by close of business Monday.
USVI lawyer Mimi Liu, slamming Dimon and Chase's knowledge
Update: the JPMChase (Epstein-related) case is still going. Judge Rakoff: You have to spell out each search term: not just Jeffrey but also Jeff. Counsel: We are doing that. Judge Rakoff: I'm glad we had this discussion.
Judge Rakoff: If this case goes to trial I Iearn a party held back information, I may impose sanctions. Such as striking your case. Plaintiffs' counsel: We have requested the SARs that were filed by JPM Chase or DB, they say they need FinCEN's permission.
Judge Rakoff: I think I can override that. And I just decided to. Bank counsel: I think this is statutory. Judge Rakoff: This will be fun. If they oppose it, I will set a time and place but no later than next week, I will want a decision maker present
Judge Rakoff: And if they don't appear, I'll have no choice but to ask the Marshals to bring them before me.... I think the government, once they know the situation, will be happy to comply. I'm not sure I don't have the power. The Supreme Court may consider it.
Counsel: There's a deposition set for Jes Staley next week. We don't want to be put out of the room. Judge Rakoff: Call me from the deposition. If I'm on the bench, my clerk will inform you to call during my next break. Let's resolve it right then and there.
Judge Rakoff: I notice most of the audience has wimped out long ago. [Inner City Press still covering it].
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