Ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley's Epstein Trust Role Contradicts Court Testimony
Newly released documents indicate that Jes Staley, the former chief executive of Barclays, served as a trustee for Jeffrey Epstein's estate until at least May 2015. This information directly conflicts with testimony he provided in court last year, where he denied accepting such a role. The revelation adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Staley's relationship with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Trust Document Details and Contradictions
A copy of the Jeffrey E Epstein 2014 Trust, dated November 2014, bears Staley's signature, naming him as one of three trustees. The 23-page agreement, first reported by the Financial Times, outlines tens of millions of dollars in bequests and loan waivers that would activate upon Epstein's death. Trustees were entitled to an annual salary of $250,000, though no evidence confirms whether Staley received such payments.
In March 2025, during a court hearing to overturn a lifetime ban imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority over his Epstein ties, Staley testified under cross-examination. When asked if Epstein had wanted to name him as a trustee, Staley responded, "And I turned it down." He further stated that he declined the role early in his tenure at hedge fund Blue Mountain Capital and suggested this refusal indicated they were not close personal friends.
Timeline and Amendments to the Trust
The trust document, released by the US Department of Justice as part of a larger collection of Epstein files, shows Epstein signed it in November 2014. Staley's signature, dated November 26, 2014, appears alongside those of two other Epstein associates. An amendment to the agreement, signed by Epstein and his associates in May 2015, includes Staley's signature dated September 29, 2015, indicating his involvement extended into that year.
This 2014 trust was later revoked and replaced by a 2019 version, which does not list Staley as a trustee. Additionally, Staley was appointed as an executor in earlier versions of Epstein's will, alongside former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers, but he was not included in Epstein's final will.
Background and Ongoing Investigations
Jes Staley spent three decades at JP Morgan before joining Blue Mountain Capital in 2013. His appointment as Barclays CEO was announced in October 2015, and he stepped down in 2021 after City regulators launched an investigation into his relationship with Epstein. Staley has consistently maintained that his connection to Epstein was strictly professional, denying any awareness of Epstein's criminal activities. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019.
Recent revelations from the Guardian include multiple documents in the Epstein files citing serious allegations of sexual misconduct against Staley, such as claims of rape and physical harm. US prosecutors have reviewed these allegations, but Staley has not been charged with any crime and denies all wrongdoing. Representatives for Staley have not responded to requests for comment on the trust documents or the allegations.
The emergence of these trust papers raises significant questions about the accuracy of Staley's court testimony and the depth of his involvement with Epstein's financial affairs, further complicating his legal and professional standing.
