TRIAL TESTIMONY — LARRY VISOSKI (CHIEF PILOT) USA v. Maxwell — November 29, 2021 Case No. 20-cr-330, S.D.N.Y.
Lawrence "Larry" Visoski, Jeffrey Epstein's chief pilot for nearly three decades, was called as the prosecution's first witness at Ghislaine Maxwell's federal sex trafficking trial. His testimony was significant because he provided an insider's perspective on Epstein's travel patterns, the passengers who flew on Epstein's aircraft, and the operations that surrounded Epstein's movements between his various properties.
TENURE AS CHIEF PILOT: Visoski testified that he began working for Epstein in approximately 1991 and continued as his chief pilot until Epstein's arrest in 2019 — a period of nearly 28 years. He described his role as encompassing all aspects of flight operations for Epstein's aircraft, including a Boeing 727 (the aircraft commonly referred to as the "Lolita Express"), a Gulfstream IV, and various helicopters. Visoski stated that he was responsible for flight planning, aircraft maintenance coordination, and managing the other pilots and crew members who worked for Epstein.
THE BOEING 727 ("LOLITA EXPRESS"): Visoski provided detailed testimony about the Boeing 727, registration number N908JE, which became central to public understanding of the Epstein case. He described the aircraft's custom interior, which included a main cabin configured with seating areas, a private bedroom in the rear of the aircraft, and a lavatory. Visoski testified that the aircraft was used for domestic and international flights, with frequent routes between Teterboro (New Jersey), Palm Beach (Florida), the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), and various international destinations.
FLIGHT LOGS AND PASSENGERS: Visoski testified about the flight logs that documented passengers on Epstein's aircraft. He confirmed that the logs recorded the names of passengers on each flight, though he noted that the record-keeping was sometimes informal. When shown specific flight logs by prosecutors, Visoski identified the names of various passengers, including prominent individuals in politics, business, science, and entertainment. He confirmed that Ghislaine Maxwell was a frequent passenger on Epstein's aircraft throughout the period of his employment.
YOUNG WOMEN ON FLIGHTS: Visoski acknowledged during testimony that young women were frequent passengers on Epstein's flights. When questioned by prosecutors about the ages of these passengers, Visoski stated that he did not inquire about the ages of passengers and that it was not his practice to do so. He testified that he was focused on his duties as a pilot and did not monitor what happened in the passenger cabin during flights. Visoski stated that he did not witness sexual activity on the aircraft, though he acknowledged that the rear bedroom was private and that he had no visibility into that area during flights.
MAXWELL'S ROLE: Visoski testified that Maxwell served as the primary manager of Epstein's household staff and travel logistics. He described Maxwell as the person who most frequently coordinated flight schedules, passenger manifests, and ground transportation arrangements. Visoski stated that Maxwell was the most constant presence in Epstein's inner circle during the years he worked for Epstein, and that she appeared to manage many aspects of Epstein's daily life.
FLIGHTS TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS: Visoski provided testimony about the frequent flights to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two islands — Little St. James and Great St. James. He described landing at the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, where passengers would then be transported to Little St. James by helicopter or boat. Visoski testified that he flew to the Virgin Islands regularly and that the island was one of Epstein's primary residences.
OBSERVATIONS AT EPSTEIN'S PROPERTIES: While Visoski stated that his primary duties were confined to flight operations, he testified about observations at Epstein's various properties. He described visiting the Palm Beach residence, the Manhattan townhouse, and the New Mexico ranch in the course of his duties. Visoski stated that he observed young women at these properties but maintained that he did not have knowledge of any illegal activity.
CROSS-EXAMINATION: During cross-examination by Maxwell's defense team, Visoski was questioned about his long tenure with Epstein and whether his continued employment suggested complicity in Epstein's activities. Visoski maintained that he was a professional pilot whose duties were limited to aviation operations. The defense also used Visoski's testimony to emphasize that he never personally witnessed criminal conduct — an argument aimed at raising doubt about Maxwell's direct involvement.
PROSECUTION'S STRATEGIC USE: Legal analysts noted that the prosecution's decision to call Visoski as its first witness was strategically significant. His testimony established the physical infrastructure of Epstein's operation — the aircraft, the properties, the travel patterns — and placed Maxwell at the center of that infrastructure. By beginning with a factual, non-victim witness, prosecutors laid the evidentiary groundwork before presenting the more emotionally charged testimony of the victims themselves.