Ex-Barclays Chief Jes Staley Confronts Rape Claims in Epstein Probe Documents
Former Barclays CEO Jes Staley has been implicated in grave sexual misconduct allegations, as detailed in newly unsealed files from the investigation into child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. US prosecutors meticulously reviewed accusations of rape and bodily harm against Staley, a former JP Morgan banker, according to these confidential documents.
Serious Allegations Surface in Internal Memo
The bulk of the allegations are contained within an 86-page internal memo, dated 19 December 2019, produced by prosecutors and addressed to Geoffrey S Berman, then US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Titled "Investigation into Potential Co-Conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein," this memo summarises interviews with victims, witnesses, and subjects under scrutiny.
One section, labelled "Interviews of Victims Who Were Abused As Adults," recounts a woman's recollection from around 2011 or 2012. It states that Epstein instructed her to massage Staley at his New York residence, where Staley allegedly forced her to touch his genitals before raping her. After the incident, she complained to Epstein, who reportedly dismissed it as a matter for her and Staley to decide.
Multiple Accusations and Denials
Another part of the memo cites allegations against Staley and financier Leon Black, with a victim recalling that both engaged in sexual contact against her will during massages. When she protested to Epstein, he laughed and told her it was her choice. Notably, there is no evidence prosecutors pursued these claims, and Staley has never been charged with any crime related to them.
During a UK court hearing in 2025, Staley admitted to having sex with a member of Epstein's staff in New York but described it as consensual. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and did not respond to requests for comment over several months, either directly or through his lawyers.
Email Exchanges and Bodily Harm Claims
Additional documents reveal an internal email from 14 December 2019 between US Attorney's Office staff, highlighting an allegation that Staley raped a victim during a massage. A separate confidential note describes a victim left with "bloody marks" on her arms from Staley's belt, where he referred to her as "tinkerbell."
Email exchanges from July 2010 between Staley and Epstein, discussing Disney princesses like Snow White, have circulated since 2021. Staley denied knowledge of these emails in court, but newly unsealed files show Epstein requested a Snow White costume weeks prior, suggesting a deeper context.
Career Fallout and Ongoing Scrutiny
Staley's reputation has been severely damaged by his documented friendship with Epstein, whom he met in 2000 while heading JP Morgan's private bank. After becoming Barclays CEO in 2015, he was forced to step down in 2021 following a regulatory investigation into his Epstein ties. He was subsequently banned from the UK financial sector for downplaying the relationship, a decision he failed to overturn in court last year.
Recent exchanges from June 2023 in the Epstein files indicate that US attorneys believe allegations against Staley but lack independent corroboration. The US Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment, leaving the matter unresolved as Staley's legacy continues to be scrutinised.
