John Paulson
Billionaire hedge fund manager; listed in Epstein's black book; documents show largely unreturned outreach from Epstein
Also known as: John Alfred Paulson
John Alfred Paulson, the billionaire founder of Paulson & Co. who famously profited $15 billion from the 2007 subprime mortgage collapse, appears in the Epstein case files primarily through indirect references, mass organizational communications, and a series of unreturned outreach attempts by Epstein's office in late 2017. His name is listed in Epstein's second black book, published by Business Insider in 2021. A Paulson & Co. spokesperson categorically denied any personal relationship, stating Paulson "never shared a meal or even a drink with Epstein," never visited his residences, never flew on his plane, and was never on his island. The most significant document is a direct email from Epstein to Paulson dated November 8, 2017, reading: "50k from me, hope pr is ok" (efta-02568209, efta-efta00957552). This was sent in response to a UJA-Federation Wall Street Dinner invitation that Paulson, as Chairman of the Wall Street & Financial Services Division, had sent out as a mass fundraising appeal (efta-02568733, efta-efta00958981).
While this establishes direct written communication between the two men, the context is a charitable mass solicitation, not a private exchange.
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John Paulson 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
John Alfred Paulson, the billionaire founder of Paulson & Co. who famously profited $15 billion from the 2007 subprime mortgage collapse, appears in the Epstein case files primarily through indirect references, mass organizational communications, and a series of unreturned outreach attempts by Epstein's office in late 2017. His name is listed in Epstein's second black book, published by Business Insider in 2021. A Paulson & Co. spokesperson categorically denied any personal relationship, stating Paulson "never shared a meal or even a drink with Epstein," never visited his residences, never flew on his plane, and was never on his island.
The most significant document is a direct email from Epstein to Paulson dated November 8, 2017, reading: "50k from me, hope pr is ok" (efta-02568209, efta-efta00957552). This was sent in response to a UJA-Federation Wall Street Dinner invitation that Paulson, as Chairman of the Wall Street & Financial Services Division, had sent out as a mass fundraising appeal (efta-02568733, efta-efta00958981). While this establishes direct written communication between the two men, the context is a charitable mass solicitation, not a private exchange.
Epstein Connection
A December 2010 email from Epstein to his assistant Lesley Groff instructs: "ask jpohn paulson if he would like to stop by" (efta-01830199, efta-efta02017460). This invitation came approximately two years after Epstein's 2008 Florida conviction, a period when many former associates had distanced themselves. No evidence in the files confirms whether Paulson accepted. The files reveal a sustained and unsuccessful effort by Epstein to reach Paulson in September-October 2017. On September 25, Epstein instructed staff to obtain Paulson's phone number (efta-02223091) and set up a call, offering his helicopter and supplies for hurricane relief in the Virgin Islands (efta-02223279). Over the following days, Groff made multiple calls to Paulson & Co., spoke with assistant "Marsha" (efta-02348930), and scheduled a phone date for September 26 (efta-02223737). By September 29, Groff reported: "John Paulson has not responded. I have called twice" (efta-02597867). By October 3, she noted: "John Paulson's office has not returned my calls" (efta-02593789). This pattern of non-response is notable and partially corroborates Paulson's public denial of a meaningful relationship. In a September 2010 email exchange with New York Times journalist Landon Thomas, Epstein wrote: "jes agrees, milken agrees, you could contact john paulson" (efta-01984176, efta-efta00757254). This shows Epstein positioning himself as someone who could facilitate introductions to major financial figures, including Paulson, for media purposes. It does not confirm that Paulson had agreed to participate or that he was aware of Epstein's email.
Key Allegations(6)
Epstein's September-October 2017 outreach campaign to Paulson was persistent despite non-response, suggesting Epstein was trying to cultivate or re-establish a connection
allegedEpstein appears on a contact/target list (efta-efta00988688) that includes Paulson alongside major philanthropists and billionaires (Kaiser, Perelman, Milken, Wexner, Koch), possibly for fundraising or cultivation purposes
allegedEpstein used Hurricane relief as a pretext to make contact with Paulson, offering helicopter and supplies — a classic networking/access strategy
allegedThe $50,000 UJA pledge was sent directly to Paulson with the note 'hope pr is ok' — suggesting Epstein was conscious of the public relations implications of being associated with Paulson's charitable event
allegedEpstein positioned himself as able to connect Paulson with NYT journalist Landon Thomas, suggesting he cultivated an intermediary role between financial figures and media
allegedPaulson appears in Epstein's second black book, indicating contact information was collected at some point, despite Paulson's spokesperson claiming it was 'news to him'
allegedLegal Status
MODERATE-HIGH confidence in findings. The documentary evidence is clear and internally consistent. Key strengths: (1) The September-October 2017 outreach chain is well-documented with multiple corroborating emails showing dates, staff names, and Paulson's non-response. (2) The $50k UJA pledge email is a clear, direct communication. Key limitations: (1) Many EFTA documents lack summaries, so their full content is unknown — some of the 40+ EFTA documents tagged to Paulson may contain additional context not captured in OCR excerpts. (2) The December 2010 'stop by' invitation outcome is unknown. (3) Whether Paulson ever responded to the UJA $50k pledge email is not documented in the available evidence. Further investigation warranted: Full review of all EFTA correspondence documents, particularly efta-01299930 and the unsummarized DS10/DS11 documents, to determine if additional Epstein-Paulson communications exist.
Notable Statements(15)
“50k from me, hope pr is ok”
“John Paulson has not responded I have called twice asking to set up a call for you and John Paulson”
“John Paulson's office has not returned my calls...should I leave another message”
“jes agrees, milken agrees, you could contact john paulson”
“ask jpohn paulson if he would like to stop by”
“get john paulsons tele number from melanie at Icons”
“set up a call today tell him, im sending thing to the vi and have my heli if he needs assistantce”
“John Paulson gave 300million to Harvard....up the ante big guy I need to get my boys in 2019 help”
“John Paulson sounded bullish last weekend at the De Guardiolas”
“Dear Jeffrey, We look forward to your joining us on Wednes...”
“Mr. & Mrs. John Paulson ( Jenny ) / BUSINESS/ KIDS/ KOB/ MNUCHIN GUEST/ PAULSON & CO/ GOTH”
“John Paulson Michael Herz cell: email:”
“I am about to meet with John Paulson and his gang”
“The founder is a former John Paulson PM who ran their credit book for 10 years leading into the Financial Crisis”
“I left a message with John's assistant, Marsha, re a call as well as you could lend assistance in the VI”
Contradictions(2)
Paulson & Co. spokesperson stated it was 'news to him' that Paulson appeared in Epstein's black book and that Paulson 'never shared a meal or even a drink with Epstein'
Documents show Epstein emailed Paulson directly on November 8, 2017, pledging $50,000 ('50k from me, hope pr is ok') to a UJA dinner Paulson chaired (efta-02568209). Epstein also instructed staff in December 2010 to 'ask jpohn paulson if he would like to stop by' (efta-01830199). The September 2013 AJC fundraising email was addressed to 'Jeffrey Epstein' by name (efta-efta00383700). However, the Sept-Oct 2017 non-response from Paulson's office (efta-02597867, efta-02593789) partially supports the claim of distance.
Paulson spokesperson said Paulson was 'never on [Epstein's] plane' and 'never on the island'
No documentary evidence in the reviewed files contradicts these specific claims. No flight logs, island visitor records, or other documents place Paulson on Epstein's plane or Little St. James.
Key Relationships(8)
Epstein repeatedly attempted to reach Paulson in Sept-Oct 2017 (efta-02223091, efta-02597867, efta-02593789). Paulson's office did not return calls. Epstein pledged $50k to Paulson's UJA dinner in Nov 2017 (efta-02568209). Epstein suggested Paulson as source to NYT journalist in 2010 (efta-01984176). Epstein instructed staff to invite Paulson to 'stop by' in Dec 2010 (efta-01830199).
Groff made multiple calls to Paulson's office on Epstein's behalf in Sept-Oct 2017 (efta-02348930, efta-02597867, efta-02593789) and forwarded the UJA dinner invitation (efta-02568733).
Epstein emailed Thomas: 'jes agrees, milken agrees, you could contact john paulson' in context of financial article (efta-01984176, efta-01984355).
UJA dinner invitation emails signed by Paulson (efta-02568733, efta-efta00958981, efta-02229720).
Epstein wrote 'jes agrees, milken agrees, you could contact john paulson' (efta-01984176).
Kates emailed Epstein: 'John Paulson gave 300million to Harvard....up the ante big guy' (efta-efta00855282, efta-02498940).
Epstein's email to Landon Thomas names 'jes' alongside 'milken' and 'john paulson' (efta-01984176). Staley's 'Paulson' references appear to be about Hank Paulson (efta-efta00640471).
Groff emailed Spinella requesting Paulson's phone number (efta-02223095, efta-02223216).
Timeline(19 events)
Jes Staley emails Epstein mentioning 'Paulson is taking over the Agencies' in the context of financial markets turmoil, referencing Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson — NOT John Paulson the hedge fund manager
An unidentified correspondent emails Epstein discussing their Paulson investment statement: 'cant bellieve my Paulson statement for March. He is only up 3 percent for the year. He has a massive bet on Gold.' This indicates Epstein's social circle included Paulson & Co. investors.
An unidentified correspondent emails Epstein: 'John Paulson sounded bullish last weekend at the De Guardiolas. I think I am a curse every time I give prople money they loose it, except Steinhardt.' This places Paulson at a social gathering at the De Guardiola residence.
Follow-up email from same correspondent: 'No Paulson going long anything is not his mo' — discussing Paulson's investment style with Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein emails NYT journalist Landon Thomas: 'jes agrees, milken agrees, you could contact john paulson' — Epstein suggesting Paulson as a source for a financial article and implying he could facilitate the introduction.
Epstein emails Lesley Groff: 'ask jpohn paulson if he would like to stop by' — a direct instruction to invite John Paulson to visit, alongside instructions about Tim Zagat and Bruce Ratner.
Jes Staley emails Epstein: 'I watched Tim. He did look rattled. Compare him with Paulson. Its going to be an interesting month.' Context appears to be comparing Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner with former Secretary Hank Paulson, NOT John Paulson.
A mass fundraising email from 'Stan Bergman / Philip Milstein / John Paulson' is forwarded to Epstein inviting him to an AJC event honoring Matthew Bronfman on November 20th. Paulson is a co-signer of the fundraising appeal.
Faith Kates emails Epstein: 'John Paulson gave 300million to Harvard....up the ante big guy I need to get my boys in 2019 help' — using Paulson's philanthropy to pressure Epstein into donating for her sons' college prospects.
Epstein instructs staff: 'get john paulsons tele number from melanie at Icons' — Epstein does not have Paulson's phone number and must obtain it through a third party.
Lesley Groff emails Paulson's assistant Melanie Spinella at Paulson & Co. requesting his phone number on Epstein's behalf.
Epstein instructs: 'set up a call today tell him, im sending thing to the vi and have my heli if he needs assistantce' — offering helicopter and supplies to Paulson in the Virgin Islands, likely after Hurricane Irma/Maria.
Groff reports leaving a message with 'John's assistant, Marsha' regarding the call and Epstein's offer of VI assistance.
Calendar alert set: 'John Paulson phone date?' at 10:00 AM — scheduled phone call between Epstein and Paulson.
Groff emails Epstein: 'John Paulson has not responded. I have called twice asking to set up a call for you and John Paulson, also told his assistant you are sending supplies to the VI and have a heli in case he needed any assistance there but have not heard back.'
Calendar reminder: 'Call John Paulson again...' — Epstein persisting in attempts to reach Paulson.
Groff emails Epstein: 'John Paulson's office has not returned my calls...should I leave another message stating you are going to STT this Thursday and ask if you can take any supplies for him?' — Paulson's office still not responding after over a week.
John Paulson, as Chairman of UJA-Federation Wall Street Division, sends mass fundraising email for Wall Street Dinner honoring Howard Lutnick. This email is forwarded to Epstein by Lesley Groff.
Epstein emails John Paulson directly: '50k from me, hope pr is ok' — pledging $50,000 to the UJA dinner and asking if public relations/publicity is acceptable.
At a Glance
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Offshore Connections (3)
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.
Paulson John
Paulson John
John PAUL
Document Mentions
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