Accessory to the crime: JPMorgan Chase settles massive lawsuit with victims of Jeffrey Epstein
By jdheyes // 2023-06-14
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The disturbing and disgusting saga of pedophile Jeffrey Epstein continues to unwind years after his crimes and "suicide" in jail. "JPMorgan Chase has reached a settlement with women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein, the bank and the women said on June 12," the Epoch Times reported. In a joint statement, the parties involved have announced that they have informed a federal court in New York about reaching a tentative agreement to settle the lawsuit filed in 2022 by the women who accused the bank of aiding Epstein's sex trafficking activities. The settlement, however, is contingent upon approval from U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, who was appointed, ironically, by Bill Clinton and is presiding over the case. Clinton, of course, took dozens of trips with Epstein aboard his plane, which was dubbed the "Lolita Express." Clinton also went to his private island on a number of occasions. A spokeswoman for JPMorgan Chase told the Epoch Times in an email: “We all now understand that Epstein’s behavior was monstrous, and we believe this settlement is in the best interest of all parties, especially the survivors, who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of this man.” “Any association with him was a mistake, and we regret it. We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes," she added. David Boies, an attorney representing the women, told the Epoch Times in an email: “While the road to justice for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring has been too long, and we are not yet at its end, the historic recovery from JP Morgan, individually and in combination with our earlier recovery from Deutsche Bank, is another important step in achieving the vindication, recognition, and compensation they deserve.” “JP Morgan has requested that we not reveal the actual amount of the settlement (which is large), and for the moment we are honoring that request,” Boies added. “Money, which for far too long flowed with impunity between Jeffrey Epstein’s global sex trafficking enterprise and Wall Street’s leading banks, is decisively being used for good,” added Sigrid McCawley, managing partner at the firm Boies Schiller Flexner, in a statement to CNN. “The settlements signal that financial institutions have an important role to play in spotting and shutting down sex trafficking.” “It has taken a long time, too long, but today is a great day for Jeffrey Epstein survivors and a great day for justice,” said Boies. CNN reported that the settlement was $290 million. "The victims had accused the bank of enabling sex trafficking by the deceased financier when he was a client," the outlet reported, adding: Litigation is still pending between JPMorgan and the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a home. The bank continues to pursue its case against Jes Staley, a former JPMorgan executive and ex-Barclays CEO who the suit said is largely responsible for JPMorgan’s 15-year financial relationship with Epstein. “The information and support the US Virgin Islands and its legal team provided to the survivors was enormously valuable, and we recognize the importance of the government’s continued litigation against JPMorgan Chase to prevent future crimes,” Brad Edwards, the victims’ attorney, told CNN in a statement. A spokesperson for the US Virgin Islands’ attorney general said the office was “gratified” to hear of the US settlement. “The US Virgin Islands will continue to proceed with its enforcement action to ensure full accountability for JPMorgan’s violations of law and prevent the bank from assisting and profiting from human trafficking in the future,” the spokesperson noted further, adding that the attorney general’s office “is committed to protecting women and girls who could otherwise become victims going forward.” Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CNN.com
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