Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is demanding answers from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon over newly surfaced communications tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, renewing scrutiny of the banking giant's past relationship with the late financier.
In a letter first reported by the Financial Times, Warren asked Dimon to explain whether he lobbied the British government against a proposed tax on bankers' bonuses based on advice from Epstein and to disclose the extent of any contacts between JPMorgan, its executives, and the convicted sex offender.
The letter follows the release this year of additional Justice Department records that have revived questions about Epstein's relationships with powerful political and financial figures.
According to the Financial Times, newly disclosed emails show Epstein discussing efforts to influence Britain's proposed 2009 banker bonus tax with then-Business Secretary Peter Mandelson.
In one exchange, Epstein asked whether Dimon should contact then-Chancellor Alistair Darling again, prompting Mandelson to reply that Dimon should "mildly threaten" him.
Darling later wrote in his memoir that Dimon called to express strong opposition to the proposal and warned JPMorgan could reconsider investments in London.
Warren wrote that the communications raise "serious questions" about JPMorgan's relationship with Epstein and whether Dimon had greater knowledge of the financier's activities than previously acknowledged.
JPMorgan has denied the allegations, saying Dimon never met Epstein and was not involved in decisions regarding Epstein's accounts.
The bank also said any suggestion that Dimon took advice from Epstein was false and reiterated that it cut ties with Epstein in 2013 after concluding it should no longer do business with him.
The issue comes after JPMorgan agreed in 2023 to pay $290 million to settle lawsuits brought by Epstein's sexual abuse victims, while denying wrongdoing.
The renewed attention also follows reporting by The Guardian earlier this year highlighting documents from the Justice Department's Epstein files that appeared to contradict portions of Dimon's 2023 sworn testimony.
During that deposition, Dimon said he did not recall knowing about Epstein until 2019. However, emails cited by the newspaper referenced possible meetings involving Dimon, former JPMorgan executive Jes Staley and Epstein, though the bank has maintained those proposed meetings never occurred.
The Guardian also noted that merely appearing in the Epstein files does not establish wrongdoing, and many individuals are mentioned only through emails, schedules or third-party references.
Warren is seeking documents and detailed answers from Dimon regarding communications involving Epstein, JPMorgan employees and British government officials, as congressional scrutiny of the bank's past dealings with Epstein continues.