Allegations against former Barclays CEO Staley ‘very serious,’ CEO says

On Thursday, Barclays CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan called allegations against former CEO Jes Staley’s ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “very serious”.

Venkat told reporters after the lender’s first quarter results that he couldn’t comment on U.S. court proceedings.

Venkat called New York the “right and proper place” to adjudicate the charges.

JPMorgan is suing Staley for eight years of compensation and to cover two claims involving Epstein, a client of Staley’s private bank.

Women sued the banker for sexual abuse. The U.S. Virgin Islands filed the other. Both lawsuits seek money damages without Staley as a defendant.

Staley said JPMorgan used him as a “public relations shield” in U.S. filings this week.

Last Monday, a former bank investor argued the lender should have checked the case more. ISS advised investors to wait for the results of several investigations before ousting board members.

Thursday reporters asked Venkat about the board’s vetting, but he declined.