New York (CNN Business) Three JPMorgan Chase traders in gold and other precious metals have been charged with alleged market manipulation by the US Department of Justice.

The alleged conduct spanned eight years, the Justice Department said Monday.

The government charged Gregg Smith, an executive director, and Michael Nowak, a managing director and head of the bank's global precious metals desk. Both were current employees as of Monday morning, government officials said.

The third person charged is Christopher Jordan, a former JPMorgan employee.

JPMorgan declined to comment on Monday. Instead it referred to a previous public filing in which it said it "is responding to and cooperating with these investigations."

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