Epstein's contact book: the Spanish names that appear

The Spanish names in Epstein's contact book

In July 2019, when the Epstein case returned to the headlines after the financier's arrest for sens trafficking of minors, a list of contacts known as the "little black book" began circulating online. Among the names were several Spaniards: Alejandro Agag, Maite Arango, Joaquín Fernández de Arion, José Aznar, Fernando de Córdova Hohenlohe, Fernando de Soto, Juan and Helen Herrero, Carlos Sánchez, Marc Puig and Taria Puig. The contact book was managed by Epstein's personal assistant and does not by itself imply involvement in any crime, but it fueled all kinds of speculation on forums and social media.

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Who's who on the list?

The name that caused the biggest stir was Alejandro Agag, son-in-law of José María Aznar and a former MEP for Spain's Popular Party. According to one participant in the discussion, his connection to Epstein came through the company A2L Investment. It was pointed out that Agag is the son of a Belgian banker of Algerian origin, Youssef Agag, who was an executive at the Banque Nationale d'Algérie, and a Spanish mother. Agag's presence in the contact book was also linked to his alleged friendship with Flavio Briatore, who also appears on the list.

Another prominent name was José Aznar (sic). At first it was speculated that this referred to former Prime Minister José María Aznar, but voices soon emerged suggesting it could be his son, José María Aznar Botella, who had lived in New York since 2001 and whose girlfriend at the time, Italy's Tania Paessler, was linked to Briatore's circle. The confusion between father and son added more fuel to the fire.

The list also included Gustavo Cisneros, a Venezuelan businessman and personal friend of Felipe González, as was recalled in the forums. And Marc Puig and Taria Puig, from Barcelona, identified as members of the family that owns the Puig perfume company. Also appearing were the names of Maite Arango, Joaquín Fernández de Arion, Fernando de Córdova Hohenlohe, Fernando de Soto, Juan and Helen Herrero, and Carlos Sánchez, the latter in an entry under the heading "ISLAND".

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The confusion over "José Aznar"

The ambiguity of the name "José Aznar" in the contact book sparked intense debate. While some took it for granted that it was the former Prime Minister, others argued that the context —residence in New York, the relationship with Tania Paessler and the connection to Agag— fit his son better. This confusion is an example of how an unverified piece of data can distort public perception.

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What does it miccionan to appear in Epstein's contact book?

Appearing in Epstein's contact book is not the same as having taken part in his incivil activities. The book was a working tool of his assistant and contained names of people of all kinds: from politicians and businesspeople to celebrities. As one participant in the discussion noted, "being in his contact book doesn't miccionan they went to the island. Those are two different things." The island referred to is the one Epstein owned in the Virgin Islands, where parties with minors were allegedly organized. The confusion between the contact book and the passenger list of Epstein's private jet has been a constant.

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The context: Epstein and the blackmail network

Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier, was charged in 2019 with sens trafficking of minors. He had already been convicted in 2008 of soliciting minors for prostitution, in a case many considered to have ended with a laughably light sentence. His death in prison in August 2019, officially by suicide, fueled conspiracy theories. The discussion mentioned that Epstein allegedly worked for Israel and that his goal was to record powerful people in order to blackmail them. A lawsuit filed in a federal court in Manhattan was also cited, in which a woman identified as "Jane Doe" claimed that Donald Trump raped her in 1994 at Epstein's parties. Trump has not been convicted of these acts and the allegations are part of a civil lawsuit.

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The absence in the Spanish media

One of the points repeated most often was the scant coverage of the case in the Spanish media. "There's certainly not a word about Epstein and Orgy Island in the Spanish media," one comment read. This perception of a news blackout contrasts with the attention given to other international scandals. The list of Spanish names, however, has not led to any formal charges in Spain.

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The unsettling detail

While the contact book remains the subject of speculation, the Epstein case continues to be shrouded in shadows. The lack of an official investigation in Spain into the names appearing in the "little black book" leaves the ball in the court of public opinion. To what extent can a contact book be considered evidence of anything? The answer, for now, is that it is not.