Navy Secretary John Phelan is listed on a passenger manifest for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane, according to documents obtained by CNN. The flight took place on March 3, 2006, traveling from London to New York City. Phelan’s involvement has raised questions given Epstein’s notorious history, particularly as he awaited trial for child sex-trafficking charges at the time of his death in August 2019.
Documents reveal that Phelan was among 13 passengers on the flight. A close friend of Phelan confirmed to CNN that the Navy Secretary was invited to fly on Epstein’s jet by the late Jimmy Cayne, then CEO of Bear Stearns. The friend indicated that this was the only occasion Phelan interacted with Epstein, stating he was unaware of the flight’s connection to Epstein until their arrival.
The friend emphasized that Phelan had no further communication with Epstein after the flight and that there is no evidence suggesting he was aware of any criminal activities associated with Epstein or his associates during that time. The flight manifest is part of a larger document release by the House Oversight Committee, which included a total of 3.5 million documents related to Epstein.
Among the other passengers listed on the manifest was Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent linked to Epstein, who later faced sexual assault charges before being found dead in his jail cell in 2022. Brunel’s name was noted on the manifest with a misspelling as “Jean Luke Brunnel.” Of the 13 passengers, six names were redacted, and the significance of their presence remains unclear.
Phelan, who founded Rugger Management LLC, a private investment firm located in Palm Beach, Florida, has been a prominent figure in finance and politics. He was a major donor to former President Donald Trump’s second reelection campaign. Phelan was appointed as Navy Secretary on November 26, 2024, and took his oath of office four months later.
The disclosure of Phelan’s name in the Epstein flight records has drawn attention, prompting inquiries into the nature of his connections within elite circles. Military Times reached out to the Navy Secretary’s office for comments regarding the situation, but no response was immediately available.
The implications of this revelation are significant, especially considering the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s extensive network of influential figures. As new information emerges, the public and media continue to examine the connections that may exist between high-profile individuals and Epstein’s illicit activities.
