House Republicans Block Subpoena for Banks Over $1.5 Billion in Epstein-Linked Suspicious Transactions

Congressional efforts to investigate the financial network of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein faced a significant setback as House Republicans voted to block a subpoena aimed at major banks. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) stated on social media, "Banks flagged $1.5 billion in suspicious transactions relating to Epstein's sex trafficking. I tried to subpoena Secretary Bessent so the American people could follow the money. Republicans voted for continuing the cover-up."

The proposed subpoenas sought records from JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of New York Mellon. These institutions reportedly flagged approximately $1.5 billion in suspicious financial transactions linked to Epstein and his associates, according to reports cited by Democratic lawmakers. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a leading figure in the investigation, and his staff have reviewed thousands of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) detailing these transactions, some of which involved transfers as high as $100 million.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) moved to subpoena the CEOs of these four banks, emphasizing the need to uncover the full extent of Epstein's money trail. However, the motion was tabled by Republican members, effectively blocking the subpoena effort. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was the sole Republican to vote with Democrats in favor of the subpoena.

The push for transparency extends to the Treasury Department, with Congresswoman Scanlon specifically mentioning "Secretary Bessent" and alleging a refusal to release unredacted financial records. This aligns with earlier efforts by other lawmakers, including Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), who also sought to subpoena the Treasury Department for Epstein's financial records, noting that Republicans had blocked such moves. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been identified as the official in question.

The financial dealings of Epstein have led to significant legal repercussions for some institutions. JPMorgan Chase, for instance, paid $290 million to Epstein's victims and an additional $75 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to settle lawsuits alleging the bank ignored red flags and facilitated his illicit activities. Lawmakers continue to demand full disclosure of all government files related to the Epstein case to ensure accountability and justice for victims.