UK regulator FCA to investigate how it handled Epstein whistleblower who took his own life
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has ordered a review of how it dealt with Simon Andriesz, a former banker who raised concerns about his previous workplace. Andriesz died by suicide.
Andriesz worked as a managing director at BGC Group, where Howard Lutnick had been chief executive. He reported alleged accounting issues internally in 2016, before his dismissal the following year, and later raised concerns with the FBI about Lutnick’s alleged business links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick has said he had no personal or professional relationship with Epstein. BGC has rejected Andriesz’s allegations and said it would not revisit them following his death.
Andriesz said UK and US authorities had not properly held BGC and its parent company, Cantor Fitzgerald, accountable or protected him from possible retaliation. He also said whistleblowing had harmed his family, career and health, and that the FCA had wrongly told him he was ineligible for whistleblower protection.
The FCA has asked new non-executive board member Lea Paterson to examine its interactions with Andriesz and identify lessons. Labour MP John McDonnell said a parliamentary group may seek evidence from whistleblowers itself if the regulator does not ensure an independent review.
Key points
- The FCA appointed Lea Paterson to review how it handled Andriesz’s concerns.
- Andriesz raised accounting concerns at BGC and later reported alleged Lutnick-Epstein business ties to the FBI.
- BGC disputes Andriesz’s claims; a parliamentary group may seek its own evidence if dissatisfied with the FCA’s response.