Lawyers are fighting to avoid footing the $74 million legal bill. Thanks to a newly unredacted list of expenses JPMorgan lawyers filed on Monday, everyone can see why.
Javice was sentenced to in prison in September following a fraud conviction. In 2021, JPMorgan acquired Javice’s startup Frank, which she claimed helped millions complete federal financial aid forms. On top of the $175 million JPMorgan spent buying the fraudulent firm, the bank must also , per a clause in its original contract with Javice stating it’s liable for her defense costs. Javice in 2023, forcing JPMorgan to continue paying her legal tab and rejecting the bank’s claim that her fraud fell outside their 2021 agreement.
Javice’s seven-figure defense bill includes $530 for gummy bears, a $161 seafood tower, $710 at Eataly, and $347 for three charcuterie boards labeled an “afternoon snack,” according to the filing. Also expensed were over $3,000 for three first-class Boston-New York tickets, $25,800 in hotel upgrades, meals at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, and $13.57 for an attorney’s monthly charge.
The total fees JPMorgan must pay now exceed a third of what the bank spent acquiring Frank. Even after Javice’s conviction, her legal costs keep growing. Last month, the bank said Javice has accumulated an in post-trial legal fees, alleging she and co-defendant Olivier Amar—Frank’s chief growth officer—treated a prior favorable ruling as a “blank check” to rack up expenses JPMorgan would cover.
“This is the latest example of how the legal fees sought by Javice and Amar have been clearly excessive and egregious,” JPMorgan Chase spokesperson Pablo Rodriguez told in a statement.
Javice’s legal bill pales in comparison to Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, who in her defense against fraud charges tied to her convicted healthcare company.
The most eye-popping fees aren’t for food, drinks or travel—but the size of Javice’s legal team: 147 professionals, with an average of 24 present at trial daily. About $14 million went to Jose Baez—Casey Anthony’s lead defense attorney—and his firm, which represented Javice in federal court, JPMorgan said. Quinn Emanuel, one of five firms (per the bank) representing Javice, received $43 million. The firm is known for high-priced lawyers like Alex Spiro, who represents Elon Musk. in February that Spiro is one of two firm attorneys charging $3,000 per hour for legal services.
Quinn Emanuel said JPMorgan’s recent disclosure of specific charges is an effort to fight the ruling requiring it to pay Javice’s fees.
“JPMorgan is trying to walk away from its contractual obligation to pay Ms. Javice’s legal bills,” a spokesperson said in a statement to . “Now, it’s attempting to manufacture distractions by highlighting a handful of attorney expenses (not incurred by Ms. Javice) over two years—most of which it already reviewed and paid or are not disputed.”