Who is Joe Pagano in the Epstein files?

Joe Pagano is an Aspen-based venture capitalist identified in the documents as a longtime friend of Jeffrey Epstein. He appears in flight logs spanning 1997-2007, was quoted in media profiles defending Epstein's character, and was named by Ghislaine Maxwell in her deposition as part of Epstein's social circle in the 1990s.

How many times did Joe Pagano fly on Epstein's jet?

Flight manifests show Joe Pagano traveled on Epstein's private aircraft at least 8 times between 1997 and 2007, with flights documented in March 1997, August 1998, September 2000, March 2001, March 2002, and March 2007.

What did Joe Pagano say about Jeffrey Epstein?

Pagano publicly defended Epstein in media interviews, calling him 'clearly very generous with friends' and praising his intellect. In a 2003 Vicky Ward profile, Pagano stated that Epstein had 'gotten close' to his dyslexic son over the years, helping him get into music and buying him his first piano. FBI documents also quote Pagano describing Epstein's mind as able to 'go from mathematics to psychology to biology.'

Who is Joe Pagano in the Epstein files?

Joe Pagano is an Aspen-based venture capitalist identified in the documents as a longtime friend of Jeffrey Epstein. He appears in flight logs spanning 1997-2007, was quoted in media profiles defending Epstein's character, and was named by Ghislaine Maxwell in her deposition as part of Epstein's social circle in the 1990s.

How many times did Joe Pagano fly on Epstein's jet?

Flight manifests show Joe Pagano traveled on Epstein's private aircraft at least 8 times between 1997 and 2007, with flights documented in March 1997, August 1998, September 2000, March 2001, March 2002, and March 2007.

What did Joe Pagano say about Jeffrey Epstein?

Pagano publicly defended Epstein in media interviews, calling him 'clearly very generous with friends' and praising his intellect. In a 2003 Vicky Ward profile, Pagano stated that Epstein had 'gotten close' to his dyslexic son over the years, helping him get into music and buying him his first piano. FBI documents also quote Pagano describing Epstein's mind as able to 'go from mathematics to psychology to biology.'

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Joe Pagano

Person

Total Mentions

Documents

377

Connected Entities

Joe Pagano is an Aspen-based venture capitalist who had a longstanding friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, traveling on his private jet multiple times between 1997-2007 and publicly defending him in media interviews.

Pagano appears most prominently in flight manifests from Epstein's private jets spanning a decade (1997-2007), indicating regular travel with Epstein. He is also quoted extensively in media profiles defending Epstein's character and praising his generosity, stating in a 2003 Vicky Ward profile that Epstein 'got [his dyslexic son] into music' and 'bought him his first piano.' Ghislaine Maxwell named Pagano in her deposition as part of Epstein's social circle in the 1990s, alongside other high-profile associates.

Key Highlights

•Traveled on Epstein's private jet at least 8 times between 1997-2007 according to flight manifests
•Described as having known Epstein 'since before his Bear Stearns days' in media profiles
•Publicly praised Epstein's generosity and described him as 'clearly very generous with friends' in interviews
•Named by Ghislaine Maxwell in deposition testimony as part of Epstein's 1990s social circle
•Quoted in multiple FBI and media documents praising Epstein's intellect: 'His mind goes through a cross section of descriptions...He can go from mathematics to psychology to biology'

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

Document Mentions (15)

FLIGHT_MANIFEST_1530

Aug 25, 1998Source: Epstein Flight Logs

2 mentions

JOE PAGANO

Joe Pagano

Dershowitzgiuffrecomplaint041619.pdf

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_017935 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_018044

Apr 17, 2019Source: House Oversight Committee

1 mention

sage was clear: There will be trouble for your family if I don’t like the article. On the other hand, Epstein is clearly very generous with friends. Joe Pagano, an Aspen-based venture capitalist, who has known Epstein since before his Bear Stearns days, can’t say enough nice things: “I have a boy who’s dysle

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_018005 →

DOJ-OGR-00022986.WAV

DOJ-OGR-00022986

Source: DOJ First Production

1 mention

n. So again? But Millen. Okay. Henry Wresowski, who was the Provost of Harvard. I don't think. Sure. You're looking at your notes. Yes. Right. Right. Joe Pagano, Jerry Goldsmith, Joe Roberts, Kenny Lippa, Dan Abramsson, I don't know if in the 90s Tom Pritzker, Ace, Jimmy Kane, Lurinary, I mean, there were...

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Epstein_Part_10_Redacted

Source: FBI Vault

1 mention

ho believe in Epstein say that his intelligence works in a lofty and synthetic manner. "His mind goes through a cross section of descriptions," says Joe Pagano, a financier. "He can go from mathematics to psychology to biology. He takes the smallest amount of information and gets the correct answer in the

Page: Epstein_Part_10_Redacted_p96 →

Epstein_Part_17_Redacted

Source: FBI Vault

1 mention

ge was clear: There-will be trouble for your family if I don't like the article. On the other hand, Epstein is clearly very generous with friends. Joe Pagano, an Aspen-based venture capitalist, who has known Epstein since before his Bear Stearns days. can't say enough nice things: "I have a boy who's d

Page: Epstein_Part_17_Redacted_p16 →

Interview_Transcript_Maxwell_2025-07-24-cft

1 mention

our -- your -- your notes. 23 GHISLAINE MAXWELL: Yes. 24 TODD BLANCHE: Go ahead. Go ahead. 25 GHISLAINE MAXWELL: Joe Pagano, Jerry Page 101 1 Goldsmith, Joe Roberts, Kenny Lipper, Dan Abramson. 2 I don't know if in the '90s Tom Pritzker, 3 Ace, Jimmy Cayne, Lou

Page: Interview_Transcript_Maxwell_2025-07-24-cft_p26 →

Sponsored

Interview_Transcript_Maxwell_2025-07-24

1 mention

our -- your -- your notes. 23 GHISLAINE MAXWELL: Yes. 24 TODD BLANCHE: Go ahead. Go ahead. 25 GHISLAINE MAXWELL: Joe Pagano, Jerry MAGNA9 LEGAL SERVICES Page 101 1 Goldsmith, Joe Roberts, Kenny Lipper, Dan Abramson. 2 I don't know if in the '90s Tom Pritzker

Page: Interview_Transcript_Maxwell_2025-07-24_p100 →

FLIGHT_MANIFEST_0461

Mar 14, 2002Source: Epstein Flight Logs

1 mention

Joe Pagano