Investigators looking into ties between top UK banker and Jeffrey Epstein

A U.S.-born banker living in the U.K. is under investigation over his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Barclays CEO Jes Staley is reportedly under investigation by the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over his past relationship with Epstein, which Staley has maintained ended before he took over the CEO position in 2015, according to The Wall Street Journal.

It’s unclear what aspects of Staley’s relationship with the convicted sex offender would interest financial regulators, but Staley insisted in a statement to the Journal that his relationship with Epstein had ended.

“I thought I knew him well and I didn’t,” Staley said. “For sure, with hindsight, with what we all know now, I deeply regret having had any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.”

A spokesperson for Barclays added that Staley retains the full confidence of the board, and is being unanimously recommended for reelection at the annual general meeting.

Epstein was found dead of suspected suicide in a Manhattan federal detention facility last year while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. His financial relationships in the U.S. have caused public relations disasters for a number of organizations connected to his finances, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s media lab.