Jes Staley, the formerBarclayschief executive, has become the focus of a fresh scandal after a now-infamous email he sent to convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinresurfaced online.
In themessage, Staley allegedly wrote, 'That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.' The cryptic note has reignited questions about his relationship with Epstein and prompted widespread speculation online about its meaning. Staley, a veteran banker with decades of experience at JP Morgan and BlueMountain Capital, has denied any wrongdoing but remains under intense public scrutiny.
Newly released documents reveal that Staley's signature appears on the 2014 Jeffrey E Epstein Trust, naming him as one of three trustees. This contradicts his previous testimony in UK court, where he claimed he had declined Epstein's offer to act as a trustee.
The trust outlined tens of millions of dollars in bequests and loan waivers, with trustees entitled to an annual salary of $250,000 (approximately £183,500). Whether Staley received any payment is unclear, but the very presence of his signature raises serious questions about the accuracy of his earlier statements.
Last year, Staley faced the Financial Conduct Authority in a bid to overturn a lifetime ban linked to his ties with Epstein. Under cross-examination, he insisted that he had refused the trustee role and that his relationship with Epstein was professional rather than personal.
'I believe this happened very early on whilst I was at BlueMountain, and again, I declined it and refused to be a trustee,' Staley testified. However, the trust documents, now made public by the USDepartment of Justice, suggest otherwise. Staley's signature appears not only on the 2014 trust but also on a 2015 amendment, contradicting his court statements and sparking allegations of misleading the regulator.
Beyond the trustee role, Staley was also named in earlier versions of Epstein's will alongside figures such as former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers. He was not included in Epstein's final will. The documents show Staley maintained regular contact with Epstein for years, exchanging emails covering everything from financial advice to personal matters.
Staley has repeatedly maintained that he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities and described their connection as professional. The 'Snow White' email remains a particularly troubling detail, drawing online speculation and criticism.
The revelation of Staley's signature and the resurfacing of the 'Snow White' email have sparked a storm of commentary online. Critics argue that the documents contradict Staley's previous statements and raise serious questions about transparency in high finance.
While he has never faced criminal charges in connection with Epstein, the controversy highlights the murky links between powerful figures and the disgraced financier. Staley has not provided a new public comment, and the Financial Conduct Authority declined to comment on the recently released documents.
Source: International Business Times UK
