UK watchdog probes case of late Epstein whistleblower
Friends have confirmed in online posts that British banker Simon Andriesz, 57, took his own life last month after seeking to expose alleged links between the two men.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has faced scrutiny over his ties to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Credit: AFP)
LONDON — Britain's financial watchdog said Tuesday that it was investigating its handling of a UK whistleblower who died by suicide after years of questioning ties between Jeffrey Epstein and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Friends have confirmed in online posts that British banker Simon Andriesz, 57, took his own life last month after seeking to expose alleged links between the two men.
Andriesz, who in 2012 joined the brokerage BGC, then headed by Lutnick, alleged that emails discovered among a batch of Epstein files showed the men's close ties.
He raised his concerns about their business links earlier this year with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the FBI, the BBC reported.
The FCA confirmed in a statement sent to AFP that it would "review how we interacted with Mr Andriesz to learn any lessons for the future".
Emerging from the interview, Democrats portrayed Lutnick as evasive and dishonest, and demanded his resignation.
Lutnick has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.
In a post on X, the FCA said: "Our condolences go out to the family and friends of whistleblower Simon Andriesz, following the incredibly sad news of his passing."
Stephen Braviner Roman, the agency's chief risk officer, said on X that it was "often in contact with people in challenging circumstances".
Andriesz, who left BGC in 2017, told a BBC podcast this year that he had come under tremendous pressure over his allegations about Lutnick, a billionaire former New York financier, and Epstein.
But he said he carried on because "I guess it's in my DNA to fight for justice".
"Even at school, growing up as a young lad, I would always take the bullies on. And that's how I saw this company and these executives, as thugs and bullies".
A new FCA board member, Lea Paterson, has been asked to head the review and will "look at whether there are things we could have done better, and she'll help us learn for the future", Braviner Roman added.
The FCA acknowledged: "We must be open and consider if there are ways in which we can improve, especially in how we interact with people who may be particularly vulnerable."
A cross-party group of British MPs said the case "has raised deeply troubling questions about the way whistleblowers can be treated when they approach the FCA".