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Whistleblower Silenced: Deutsche Bank Fires Compliance Officer Over Epstein-Kushner Red Flags

23/02/2026

In a shocking revelation that underscores the challenges of regulatory compliance in the financial sector, newly released Justice Department documents have brought to light allegations from a former Deutsche Bank compliance officer. The documents, part of an ongoing federal investigation into Epstein's activities, include:

  • FBI interview summaries where Tammy McFadden detailed her efforts to escalate unusual transactions.

According to the reports:

  • McFadden's concerns were met with internal resistance, leading to what she described as retaliatory termination.

Tammy McFadden, who worked in the bank's anti-money laundering (AML) division:

  • Claims she was terminated in 2018 after repeatedly raising concerns about suspicious financial activities linked to high-profile clients, including convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Jared Kushner, son-in-law and senior adviser to former President Donald Trump.
  • Reported "mind-boggling" cryptocurrency transfers between Kushner's company and a Russian individual, as well as other activities that she believed warranted enhanced scrutiny under AML protocols.
  • Alleged that over 100 politically exposed persons (PEPs) were shielded from standard reviews, highlighting potential gaps in the bank's risk management practices.

Deutsche Bank has historically denied such allegations, stating in past responses that no employees were fired to suppress client concerns and that all transactions were handled appropriately.

Similarly, Kushner Companies has maintained that there were no improper activities, money laundering, or Russian connections, and that all dealings were standard business practices.

No recent statements from Deutsche Bank or Kushner were found in response to the 2026 document release, but the allegations continue to fuel discussions on governance and accountability.

This case revives questions about how major banks handle sensitive client relationships, especially during periods of intense regulatory oversight. While the released materials do not confirm any wrongdoing by Epstein, Kushner, or Deutsche Bank, they emphasise the importance of robust whistleblower protections in the financial industry.

This incident also highlights broader implications for AML compliance and the treatment of PEPs. Financial institutions must navigate complex relationships while adhering to strict regulations, and cases like this could prompt enhanced scrutiny from regulators like the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Industry experts suggest it may lead to stronger whistleblower safeguards to encourage reporting without fear of reprisal.

Web News Sources:

  1. Jacobin (Feb 17, 2026) - “The Epstein Whistleblower Who Was Silenced” - https://jacobin.com/2026/02/fbi-epstein-kuchner-whistleblower-silenced/
  2. The Lever (Feb 13–14, 2026) - “The Compliance Officer Who Flagged Epstein — And Lost Her Job” - https://www.levernews.com/the-compliance-officer-who-flagged-epstein-and-lost-her-job/
  3. ACAMS Moneylaundering.com (Jan 30, 2026) - “Ex‑AML Officer Claims Deutsche Fired Her After She Flagged Epstein Transactions” - https://www.acams.org/en/news/ex-aml-officer-claims-deutsche-fired-her-after-she-flagged-epstein-transactions
  4. WION News (Feb 18, 2026) - Deutsche Bank Epstein Jared Kushner FBI report - https://www.wionews.com/world/deutsche-bank-epstein-jared-kushner-fbi-1771419278474
  5. StudyAML (Feb 17, 2026) - “Whistleblowing, Escalation, and Governance: The Deutsche Bank Compliance Case” - https://studyaml.com/whistleblowing-escalation-and-governance-the-deutsche-bank-compliance-case/
  6. The New York Times (Jun 19, 2019, relevant context) - “Deutsche Bank Faces Criminal Investigation for Potential Money-Laundering Lapses” - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/business/deutsche-bank-money-laundering-trump.html
  7. Reuters (Jun 20, 2019) - “Deutsche Bank faces FBI investigation for possible money-laundering lapses” - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-deutsche-bank/deutsche-bank-faces-fbi-investigation-for-possible-money-laundering-lapses-source-idUSKCN1TK2YF
  8. Vanity Fair (May 20, 2019) - “Trump and Kushner Were Flagged for ‘Suspicious Activity’ by Deutsche Bank” - https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/05/donald-trump-jared-kushner-deutsche-bank
  9. Business Insider (Jun 19, 2019) - “The FBI is reportedly investigating Deutsche Bank over money-laundering regulation compliance” - https://www.businessinsider.com/fbi-investigating-deutsche-bank-for-money-laundering-kushner-transactions-2019-6
  10. Vox (Mar 2, 2018, updated context) - “Jared Kushner's scandals: Trump-Russia, clearance, and more” - https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/3/1/17053398/jared-kushner-scandals-russia-clearance-loans
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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.  

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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.