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John Connolly

Former NYPD detective and co-author of 'Filthy Rich' with James Patterson; appears in Farkas-Epstein emails

Court Filing

Also known as: John Connolly Jr.

According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, John Connolly appears in 117 case documents, and 21 email records in the Epstein files.

Former NYPD detective turned investigative journalist who co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller "Filthy Rich: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein" with James Patterson and Tim Malloy, published October 2016. Born 1943 in New York; died January 15, 2022 at age 78. Connolly worked as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, reporter at Time Magazine (1995-2005), and contributed to Spy Magazine, Premiere, Radar Online, and the Daily Beast.

His reporting targets included Trump, Seagal, Michael Jackson, and the Church of Scientology. Connolly's intersection with the Epstein case was multifaceted. In a 2017 email from Jonathan Farkas to Epstein (HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026438), Farkas recounts sitting next to Connolly at a party for "War Paint," where Connolly told Farkas he planned to include him in his book because Farkas appeared on Epstein's visitors list. Farkas's wife Somers and Margo Nederlander asked Connolly not to include Farkas. Court documents also reference Connolly as a "Vanity Fair reporter" in witness testimony, suggesting he was investigating financial connections in Epstein's orbit.

Nationality
Notable Positions
Investigative Journalist, Vanity Fair (Contributing Editor) | Reporter, Time Magazine (1995-2005) | Former NYPD Detective | Co-author, 'Filthy Rich' (2016)
Black Book
Not listed
journalistauthorvanity-fairfilthy-richnypdfarkas-emailsdeceased
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Investigate

John Connolly is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.

Automated Dossier
High evidence82% confidence

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

Born 1943, New York. Former NYPD detective turned investigative journalist. Contributing editor at Vanity Fair, reporter at Time Magazine (1995-2005). Co-authored 'Filthy Rich' with James Patterson (2016). Died January 15, 2022.

Epstein Connection

Co-authored the definitive early book on Epstein ('Filthy Rich' with James Patterson, 2016). Appears in leaked Epstein emails: Jonathan Farkas told Epstein that Connolly planned to include Farkas in his book because Farkas was on Epstein's visitors list. Margo Nederlander and Somers Farkas intervened to suppress this. Referenced in court testimony about investigating financial connections.

Key Allegations(3)

Named in Farkas-to-Epstein email as journalist planning to include Farkas in Epstein book

documented

Margo Nederlander and Somers Farkas asked Connolly not to include Farkas

documented

Referenced in court testimony about financial investigations into Epstein's network

documented
Legal Status
not accused

Journalist and author. Not accused of wrongdoing. Deceased January 2022.

Key Relationships(4)
Jonathan FarkasPlanned to include Farkas in Epstein book; Farkas emailed Epstein about it

em-20475, HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026438

Margo NederlanderMargo Nederlander asked Connolly not to include Farkas in book

em-20475

Somers FarkasSomers Farkas also asked Connolly to exclude her husband

em-20475

Jeffrey EpsteinInvestigated and wrote about Epstein for decades

Filthy Rich (2016)

Timeline(4 events)
1943

Born in New York

2016-10

'Filthy Rich' published with James Patterson; becomes #1 NYT bestseller

2017-04-07

Jonathan Farkas emails Epstein about Connolly at 'War Paint' party

2022-01-15

Dies at age 78

At a Glance

Click values for sources
0
Flight appearances
Document mentions
Various sources
0
Known connections
No
Black book entry
Evidence Types
Court Filing

Activity Timeline

External Cross-Check

Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts

Document Mentions

Email Mentions (21)

Michael WolffJan 1, 2019

Patterson

A few things to think about: If the Patterson book is being published in August, that presents some time frame issues. You would not be able to do a

Landon Thomas, Jr.Jan 1, 2019

Re: The book on you...

Keep getting calls from that guy doing a book on you -- John Connolly. He seems very interested in your relationship with the news media. I told him y

Michael WolffJan 1, 2019

Patterson

A few things to think about: If the Patterson book is being published in August, that presents some time frame issues. You would not be able to do a

Thomas Jr., LandonJan 1, 2019

Re: The book on you...

Keep getting calls from that guy doing a book on you -- John Connolly. He seems very interested in your relationship with the news media. I told him y

Jonathan FarkasJan 1, 2019

Re:

Went to opening of war paint last night was sitting next to john Connolly at after party he is on to his next book about Ef Hutton murders apparently

Landon Thomas Jr.Jan 1, 2019

Re: The book on you...

Keep getting calls from that guy doing a book on you -- John Connolly. He seems very interested in your relationship with the news media. I told him y

Michael WolffJan 1, 2019

Patterson

A few things to think about: If the Patterson book is being published in August, that presents some time frame issues. You would not be able to do a

Michael WolffJan 1, 2019

Patterson

A few things to think about: If the Patterson book is being published in August, that presents some time frame issues. You would not be able to do a

Thomas Jr., Lando iii Ti iiiJun 1, 2016

The book on you...

Keep getting calls from that guy doing a book on you -- John Connolly. He seems very interested in your relationship with the news media. I told him y

Thomas Jr., LandonJun 1, 2016

The book on you...

Keep getting calls from that guy doing a book on you -- John Connolly. He seems very interested in your relationship with the news media. I told him

Showing 10 of 21 emails. View all →

About John Connolly

Who is John Connolly?

Former NYPD detective turned investigative journalist who co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller "Filthy Rich: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein" with James Patterson and Tim Malloy, published October 2016. Born 1943 in New York; died January 15, 2022 at age 78. Connolly worked as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, reporter at Time Magazine (1995-2005), and contributed to Spy Magazine, Premiere, Radar Online, and the Daily Beast. His reporting targets included Trump, Seagal, Michael Jackson, and the Church of Scientology. Connolly's intersection with the Epstein case was multifaceted. In a 2017 email from Jonathan Farkas to Epstein (HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026438), Farkas recounts sitting next to Connolly at a party for "War Paint," where Connolly told Farkas he planned to include him in his book because Farkas appeared on Epstein's visitors list. Farkas's wife Somers and Margo Nederlander asked Connolly not to include Farkas. Court documents also reference Connolly as a "Vanity Fair reporter" in witness testimony, suggesting he was investigating financial connections in Epstein's orbit.

What is John Connolly's connection to Jeffrey Epstein?

John Connolly appears in 117 case documents, 0 flight logs, and 21 emails from the Epstein investigation files.

This dossier on John Connolly was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.

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