Pension fund shareholder suit against Dimon, JPMorgan Chase board fails

Pension fund shareholder suit against Dimon, JPMorgan Chase board fails
Judge rules on Epstein-related lawsuit.
AUG 10, 2023

A federal judge has rejected a case brought forth by shareholders against JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and the bank's board. They alleged negligence regarding warning signs associated with the bank’s infamous former client, Jeffrey Epstein.

In a ruling Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff noted that the shareholders, represented primarily by pension funds from Miami and Pittsburgh, did not approach the bank's board with their worries, nor did they demonstrate that such an approach would be pointless.

The judge from Manhattan promised to detail his rationale at a later date. Rakoff chose not to delve into specifics concerning the major U.S. bank's ties with Epstein.

In August 2019, Epstein took his own life in a New York detention center as he awaited trial on charges of sex trafficking.

There was no immediate feedback from the legal team representing the shareholders.

Dimon, along with seven directors and Jes Staley, once responsible for private banking and investments, were blamed for turning a blind eye when Epstein utilized his accounts for the exploitation of young females.

The litigation in question aimed to get the named parties or their insurance carriers to compensate JPMorgan on behalf of its shareholders. JPMorgan is already claiming up to $175 million against some of its insurers over its reps and warranties on a relatively recent purchase.

In addition, Rakoff supervises a pair of Epstein-associated cases against JPMorgan presented by the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein possessed two adjacent isles, as well as from Epstein survivors.

The U.S. Virgin Islands has put forth a claim of at least $190 million, while a settlement proposal of $290 million with those affected is in the final stages of court review.

In relation to the lawsuits, JPMorgan is taking legal action against Staley. Though he's expressed remorse over his association with Epstein, he's denied any knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities.

Staley had previously held the position of Barclays' CEO from 2015 to 2021.

The lawsuit is  City of Miami General Employees & Sanitation Employees Retirement Trust and others against Dimon and colleagues, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-03903.

Latest News

Trump teleprompter operator placed on unpaid leave amid probe into alleged Kalshi bets
Trump teleprompter operator placed on unpaid leave amid probe into alleged Kalshi bets

“The White House has extremely strict ethical guidelines with respect to issues like this,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

GPB, the priest and a get out of jail card
GPB, the priest and a get out of jail card

Just how much does it cost for a financial advice exec to stay out of prison?

St. Louis pension fund sues FS/KKR advisor over alleged excessive fees
St. Louis pension fund sues FS/KKR advisor over alleged excessive fees

The advisor both prices FSK's private loans and gets paid on those prices, the suit claims

SEC moves to make electronic delivery the default for investor disclosures
SEC moves to make electronic delivery the default for investor disclosures

The proposal would end decades of paper-first delivery rules, but keeps a paper opt-out and draws early praise from fund and annuity industry groups.

Trump accounts could encompass every US family, 70 million children, says IRS chief
Trump accounts could encompass every US family, 70 million children, says IRS chief

The Trump accounts are “generationally changing” and bring financial literacy to youth, said IRS chief Frank Bisignano.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income