Right-wing media figure and entrepreneur who was interviewed by the FBI in April 2020 (EFTA00259527) as part of the Epstein investigation. Johnson ran facial recognition company Clearview AI and genetics company Othram, and claimed to work with the CIA and NSC. In the FBI 302, Johnson alleged Epstein was an Israeli spy, that Epstein paid Steve Bannon with Israeli money, and that Israeli Stingray surveillance equipment was deployed near the White House. Johnson also described visiting Julian Assange at the Ecuador embassy with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.
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Charles Johnson is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
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
Charles 'Chuck' Johnson is an American right-wing media figure and entrepreneur who founded the news website GotNews.com. He is also associated with Clearview AI, a facial recognition technology company, and Othram, a genetics company. Johnson's businesses reportedly had relationships with the U.S. Government, which he acknowledged during an FBI interview in April 2020.
Johnson came to the attention of the FBI's counter-espionage division as part of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. He was interviewed at length by FBI agents and provided information touching on topics including alleged Israeli intelligence operations, political figures, and surveillance activities. The FBI's Washington Field Office, specifically its CI-12/Counter-Espionage squad, handled the Johnson interviews and circulated his FD-302 reports to multiple FBI field offices.
Johnson is not listed in Epstein's known contact books and does not appear to have had a direct personal relationship with Epstein. Rather, he served as an informational source for the FBI's investigation, providing claims about Epstein's alleged intelligence connections and related matters.
Epstein Connection
Charles Johnson was interviewed by the FBI on April 28, 2020, as part of the Epstein investigation (EFTA00259527). He was not a personal associate of Epstein but rather served as an informational source to the FBI. The interview was conducted by the FBI's Washington Field Office, Counter-Espionage division (CI-12), and was classified SECRET/NOFORN. Johnson provided allegations about Epstein's purported connections to Israeli intelligence and related political matters. A second FD-302 interview report was also generated and circulated among FBI field offices in June 2020 (EFTA00173836).
Key Allegations(4)
Johnson alleged during his FBI interview that Jeffrey Epstein was an Israeli spy, that Epstein paid Steve Bannon with Israeli money, and that Israeli Stingray surveillance equipment was deployed near the White House.
allegedJohnson described visiting Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.
allegedJohnson claimed his businesses, including Clearview AI and Othram (genetics), worked with the U.S. Government, including the CIA and NSC.
allegedJohnson admitted during his FBI interview to possible past issues related to Bitcoin, financing of marijuana businesses, and his taxes.
documentedLegal Status
Johnson was interviewed by the FBI as a voluntary informational source in the Epstein investigation. He was not charged, arrested, or identified as a suspect. The FBI FD-302 documents his voluntary phone interview on April 28, 2020. At the beginning of the interview, Johnson expressed concern about being 'tricked into being arrested,' suggesting awareness of potential personal legal vulnerabilities, though no charges are documented.
Notable Statements(2)
“he wanted to be helpful, but did not want to get tricked into being arrested”
“He said he may have made mistakes in the past related to Bitcoin, supporting the financing of marijuana businesses, and his taxes, but now did want to jeopardize his own businesses because they work with the U.S. Government (USG).”
Contradictions(1)
Johnson stated his desire to be helpful to the FBI investigation.
Johnson simultaneously expressed fear of being 'tricked into being arrested' and disclosed potential legal vulnerabilities (Bitcoin, marijuana financing, taxes), suggesting his cooperation may have been motivated in part by self-interest or a desire to avoid scrutiny of his own activities.
Key Relationships(1)
Johnson provided information to the FBI about Jeffrey Epstein as part of the Epstein investigation, alleging Epstein was an Israeli intelligence asset. No direct personal relationship documented. (EFTA00259527)
Timeline(3 events)
Charles 'Chuck' Johnson was interviewed by FBI Special Agents via phone from approximately 2:31 PM to 5:27 PM. The interview was voluntary and classified SECRET/NOFORN. Johnson provided information about Epstein's alleged intelligence connections, discussed his own businesses (Clearview AI, Othram), and made claims about Israeli intelligence activities.
Date of entry for the first FD-302 report documenting Johnson's April 28, 2020 interview.
FBI Washington Field Office CI-12/Counter-Espionage circulated the 'Second Johnson 302' (a second FD-302 interview report) to multiple FBI field offices, indicating Johnson was interviewed at least twice. The email directed additional inquiries to FBI agents in Los Angeles.
At a Glance
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Offshore Connections (1)
Cross-referenced against the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database (814K+ entities from Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers, and Bahamas Leaks). Matches are based on name similarity and do not imply wrongdoing.
Johnson - Charles
Document Mentions
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