There is much new info in the just released Bloomberg profile on the infamous ex-JPMorganite Blythe Masters, among which the disclosure that she had made it clear that she had wanted to go along with the disposable JPM physical commodities unit (which as was reported recently, was sold to Swiss commodities giant Mercuria) and “and continue as the group’s chief”, a plan which did not work out as she had planned since she has no plans to “join the unit’s purchaser” (although joining Glencore is another matter entirely, and one which looks increasingly plausible) but what we find most striking is the following revelation: “Masters is under investigation by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. That probe was opened following a settlement with regulators that alleged JPMorgan manipulated power markets in the Midwest and California.”
This is somewhat ironic because it was none other than Zero Hedge which asked nearly a year ago if “JPMorgan’s “Enron” Will Be The End Of Blythe Masters?” Suddenly, the answer appears to be yes.
More from just released :
The existence of a probe surrounding JPMorgan’s role in the energy market has been known since August, when it was reported by several news organizations, including Bloomberg News, and subsequently disclosed by the New York-based bank. What wasn’t known was prosecutors’ interest in Masters.
We also learn that in addition to Mercuria, two other bidders for the JPM unit were Blackstone and Macquarie:
Blackstone appeared to have an inside track on Mercuria and Macquarie in the final round of bidding, according to three people involved in the process. The buyout firm had a significant banking relationship with JPMorgan through its history of acquisitions.
Its limited presence in commodities and energy trading also made it the most likely candidate to buy JPMorgan’s business in its entirety and bring Masters and her team on board to run it, the people said.
