Deutsche Bank in $26.3 million shareholder settlement over Epstein, Russian oligarch ties
By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Deutsche Financial institution AG agreed to pay $26.25 million to settle a U.S. shareholder lawsuit accusing the German financial institution of lax oversight whereas doing enterprise with dangerous, ultra-rich shoppers like Jeffrey Epstein and Russian oligarchs.
The preliminary all-cash settlement filed on Friday in federal court docket in Manhattan requires approval by U.S. District Choose Jed Rakoff, who in June allowed the proposed class motion to proceed.
Shareholders led by Yun Wang, who traded Deutsche Financial institution inventory in 2018 and 2020, claimed that the financial institution had recognized its know-your-customer and anti-money laundering controls have been ineffective, and that its share worth fell as issues emerged.
Deutsche Financial institution denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. Chief Government Christian Stitching and his predecessor John Cryan are additionally defendants, and in addition denied wrongdoing.
A financial institution spokesman declined to remark. Stitching has since taking up in 2018 tried to indicate buyers that Deutsche Financial institution has addressed its inside controls shortfalls.
The lawsuit faulted Deutsche Financial institution’s work with Epstein, the late financier and intercourse offender, and with Danske Financial institution’s Estonia department, which turn out to be embroiled in a cash laundering scandal.
New York’s Division of Monetary Providers fined Deutsche Financial institution $150 million in July 2020 over its relationships with Epstein and Danske Estonia.
Shareholders additionally objected to Deutsche Financial institution’s taking over oligarchs like billionaire Roman Abramovich as shoppers, in what they known as the financial institution’s “relentless pursuit of income.”
Friday’s settlement covers Deutsche Financial institution buyers in the US from March 14, 2017 to Sept. 18, 2020.
Legal professionals for the plaintiffs mentioned the $26.25 million payout is 49.4% of the “doubtless recoverable” damages obtainable, in contrast with a median 1.8% in settled securities class actions in 2021.
The legal professionals might search as much as one-third of the settlement fund for authorized charges.
The case is Karimi v Deutsche Financial institution AG et al, U.S. District Court docket, Southern District of New York, No. 22-02854.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; enhancing by Jonathan Oatis)
