The US Virgin Islands sued JPMorgan Chase in late 2022 alleging the bank enabled Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking ring by failing to flag suspicious activity and providing financial services despite clear warning signs. The complaint details internal emails where bankers discussed his reputation yet continued to profit from his accounts.
JPMorgan settled the case in September 2023, agreeing to pay $75 million without admitting liability. Filings exposed how high-level executives weighed the relationship's value against compliance risks. The case spurred broader scrutiny of how major banks handle accounts tied to wealthy but controversial clients.