Joe Pagano
Aspen VC; 9 black book numbers; documented visits to Epstein townhouse; decades-long acquaintance.
Also known as: Joseph Pagano
According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Joe Pagano appears in 1,491 case documents, 5 flight log entries in the Epstein files.
Aspen-based venture capitalist who was a decades-long acquaintance of Jeffrey Epstein, having known him since before Epstein's time managing Les Wexner's finances. Pagano is listed in Epstein's black book on pages 77 and 95, with nine phone numbers and an Aspen address recorded. He visited Epstein's New York townhouse on multiple occasions documented in Epstein's schedule. The Aspen Times and Post Independent covered Pagano as part of a broader pattern of Colorado-area connections in the Epstein files, alongside Robert Hurst, a former board member of the Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Institute executive committee member. Pagano has been identified in multiple documents as part of Epstein's social and professional network in the Rocky Mountain region.
No allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein's criminal activities have been made against Pagano.
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Joe Pagano appears in records associated with Jeffrey Epstein, including flight logs, contact lists, or legal documents. Appearance in these records does not imply any wrongdoing or criminal conduct. Many individuals had legitimate professional or social interactions.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Joe Pagano is an Aspen, Colorado-based venture capitalist and financier. According to a 2003 Vanity Fair profile of Jeffrey Epstein, Pagano had known Epstein 'since before his Bear Stearns days,' placing their acquaintance at least as far back as the mid-1970s or early 1980s. His business address was listed at 434 East Cooper, Suite 201, Aspen, CO 81611, based on FedEx shipping records from Epstein's accounts.
Pagano was quoted in media profiles of Epstein describing his intellectual abilities in laudatory terms. The 2003 Vanity Fair article noted that Epstein was 'clearly very generous with friends' and that Pagano 'can't say enough good things about him.' Documentary evidence from Epstein's email records spanning 2011 through at least 2016 shows extensive and regular personal contact between the two men, including in-person visits in New York and Aspen, phone calls, and social dinners.
Epstein Connection
Joe Pagano was a long-standing personal friend and social associate of Jeffrey Epstein. He appeared on Epstein's flight logs, was listed in Epstein's contact directories, contributed to Epstein's 50th birthday commemorative book, and maintained frequent communication with Epstein over many years as documented in email records. He was also identified by Ghislaine Maxwell's legal team as a potential witness in the Giuffre v. Maxwell litigation, listed as someone who 'may have knowledge concerning Plaintiff's false claims against Defendant.'
Key Allegations(6)
Pagano was a long-time friend of Epstein dating back to before Epstein's Bear Stearns days
documentedPagano appeared on Epstein's flight logs as a passenger, including flights with Ghislaine Maxwell and Sarah Kellen
documentedPagano was listed in Ghislaine Maxwell's supplemental disclosure as a person who 'may have knowledge concerning Plaintiff's false claims against Defendant'
documentedPagano maintained regular contact with Epstein from at least 2011 through 2016, including in-person visits, phone calls, and social engagements
documentedPagano contributed to Epstein's 50th birthday commemorative book
documentedPagano was listed in Epstein's contact directory recognized by former household employee Alfredo Alessi
documentedLegal Status
Pagano was identified as potential witness #52 in Ghislaine Maxwell's supplemental Rule 26 disclosures in the Giuffre v. Maxwell civil case. He was not charged with any crime. He also appeared on a broader list of names referenced in case-related documents.
Notable Statements(1)
“His mind goes through a cross section of descriptions. He can go from mathematics to psychology to biology. He takes the smallest amount of information...”
Contradictions(1)
Pagano spoke positively about Epstein in media profiles, with the 2003 Vanity Fair article noting he 'can't say enough good things about him'
Email and scheduling records show Pagano continued regular contact with Epstein well after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea and sex offender registration, including visits in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016
Key Relationships(8)
Long-standing personal friendship dating to before Epstein's Bear Stearns days. Extensive documented contact including flights, phone calls, in-person visits, and social events spanning decades. Listed in Epstein's directories and contributed to his 50th birthday book.
Lesley Groff, Epstein's executive assistant, routinely facilitated scheduling and communications between Pagano and Epstein, as documented in numerous emails from 2011-2016.
Flight logs show Pagano on flights alongside Ghislaine Maxwell (entries reference 'GM, AP, JOE PAGANO'). Maxwell's legal team listed him as a potential witness in civil litigation.
Flight logs show Pagano on flights with Sarah Kellen ('SK, JOE PAGANO, JULIE, TODD').
Scheduling documents show Pagano and Epstein had a scheduled dinner with 'Woody and Soon-Yi' on the same day Pagano was scheduled for a call.
Email records note 'Tim Zagat and Joe Pagano are here' indicating they visited Epstein together.
Email records indicate Eva (Andersson-Dubin) planned to invite Joe Pagano and Joel Pashcow to a social event on her own.
Both Pagano and Joel Pashcow were mentioned together as invitees to a social event, and both contributed to Epstein's 50th birthday book.
Timeline(21 events)
FedEx invoice shows Epstein sent a package to Joe Pagano at 434 East Cooper Ste 201, Aspen, CO 81611
Pagano quoted in Vanity Fair article 'The Talented Mr. Epstein' as an Aspen-based venture capitalist who has known Epstein since before his Bear Stearns days and 'can't say enough good things about him'
Quoted in New York Magazine article 'The Fantasist' about Epstein, described as 'a financier' praising Epstein's intellectual range
Named during deposition of Larry Visoski, Epstein's pilot, who confirmed knowing who Pagano was
Listed on Epstein's call list by assistant Lesley Groff
Email from Epstein forwarding a message about Joe Pagano
Lesley Groff emails Epstein: 'Please call Joe Pagano. He just landed in Aspen...he was in LA yesterday'
Email from Lesley Groff: 'Joe Pagano wants to make sure that you know he wants you to have work'
Email subject 'Joe Pagano' - Pagano tried to reach Epstein, aware he was on the island
Email noting Joe Pagano returned Epstein's call
Email referencing need to get Joe Pagano 'to set up' something related to business contacts
Joe Pagano listed on Epstein's call list
Email from Lesley Groff: 'Tim Zagat and Joe Pagano are here'
Joe Pagano visited Epstein; emails document his arrival and a 3:30 PM confirmed meeting
Joe Pagano called for Epstein, said he would try him on his cell
Email noting Joe Pagano had been in a meeting since 7:30 AM
Email from Lesley Groff: 'Please call Joe Pagano...he says he needs...'
Scheduling note: 'Reminder: Joe Pagano in town'
Scheduling note: 'Reminder: Joe Pagano would like to see you today' alongside Epstein's travel from Little St. James to New York
Alert: '11:30am Joe Pagano to stop by'
Listed as person #52 in Ghislaine Maxwell's Third Supplemental Rule 26 Disclosures in Giuffre v. Maxwell
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
4 sources for flight appearances
Epstein Flight Logs (5 entries)
1998-2002
“Appeared on 5 documented flights between Palm Beach International, FL and John F. Kennedy International, NY”
Sources
1 source for known connections
Shared Flight Appearances
“Appears on flights with 13 other persons in the Epstein network”
Activity Timeline
Network Graph
Known Connections (13)
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Political Donations (8)
Cross-referenced against FEC Schedule A (individual contributions). Name matching does not confirm identity.
Top Recipients
Flight Log Appearances (5)
| Date | Route | Aircraft | Co-Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 2002 | Palm Beach International, FL → John F. Kennedy International, NY | N908JE | Jeff Epstein, Sarah Kellen, Julie ? +1 |
| Mar 14, 2002 | John F. Kennedy International, NY → Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE | Jeff Epstein, Sarah Kellen, Julie ? +1 |
| Mar 22, 2001 | LaGuardia Airport, NY → Palm Beach International, FL | N909JE | Jeff Epstein, Roger ?, Alexia Wallert +6 |
| Sep 21, 2000 | Teterboro Airport, NJ → SAF Airport | N908JE | Jeff Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell |
| Aug 25, 1998 | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, CO → Van Nuys Airport, CA | N908JE | Jeff Epstein, Gwendolyn Beck |
Black Book Entry
Document Mentions
Schedule (15)
2010-11-17 to 2016-12-13 · 1 entries verified across multiple documents
Appointment with Joe Pagano
Appointment with Joe Pagano for 15 minutes
Appointment with Joe Pagano and Steve Hanson
Appointment with Joe Pagano and Steve Hanson at Bill's Burgers
Bill's Burgers
Appointment with Joe Pagano
Appt w/Joe Pagano
JE to call Joe Pagano
JE to Call Joe Pagano
Appointment with Joe Pagano
Appt w/Joe Pagano
Dinner at Ristorante Marini
Ristorante Marini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Dinner with multiple guests
Ristorante Morini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Appointment with Joe Pagano
Joe Pagano to stop by
Meeting with Joe Pagano
About Joe Pagano
Who is Joe Pagano?
Aspen-based venture capitalist who was a decades-long acquaintance of Jeffrey Epstein, having known him since before Epstein's time managing Les Wexner's finances. Pagano is listed in Epstein's black book on pages 77 and 95, with nine phone numbers and an Aspen address recorded. He visited Epstein's New York townhouse on multiple occasions documented in Epstein's schedule. The Aspen Times and Post Independent covered Pagano as part of a broader pattern of Colorado-area connections in the Epstein files, alongside Robert Hurst, a former board member of the Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Institute executive committee member. Pagano has been identified in multiple documents as part of Epstein's social and professional network in the Rocky Mountain region. No allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein's criminal activities have been made against Pagano.
What is Joe Pagano's connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Joe Pagano appears in 1,491 case documents, 5 flight logs, and 0 emails from the Epstein investigation files. Connected to 13 other persons of interest.
Did Joe Pagano fly on Epstein's planes?
Yes, Joe Pagano appears on 5 flight manifests from Epstein's aircraft logs, including flights between Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, CO and Van Nuys Airport, CA.
Is Joe Pagano in the Epstein files?
Yes. Joe Pagano is referenced in 1,491 documents from the Epstein case files, including court filings, FBI reports, and DOJ releases. They also appear on 5 flight logs. 13 connections to other persons of interest have been documented.
This dossier on Joe Pagano was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.