By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
FIRSTBANK of Puerto Rico has “categorically denied” claims that the lender facilitated Jeffrey Epstein and and his sex-trafficking organisation.
A lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York cites around $1 billion that allegedly flowed in and out of Epstein’s bank accounts. Anonymous plaintiffs filed the case in federal court.
The plaintiffs claim FirstBank provided banking services tied to Epstein’s organisation from at least 1998 through 2020. They also reference 30 bank accounts, although the figures remain redacted.
They claim that the lender spent over two decades serving Epstein and knowingly profited from his sex trafficking.
First BanCorp, the parent company of FirstBank, said it “categorically denies the claims alleged in the complaint and intend to vigorously defend against them.”
It said it “is aware that a lawsuit has been filed against it in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging claims relating to banking services provided to Jeffrey Epstein following a bank acquisition in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
“First BanCorp and FirstBank are committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, governance, and ethical conduct,” it said.
It also said it “works cooperatively with its regulators and, where appropriate, with law enforcement authorities in support of the integrity and potential misuse of the banking system.”
The company added: “The Corporation is reviewing the complaint and will respond through the appropriate legal channels. Given that litigation is pending, FirstBank will not be providing further comment at this time.”
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