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Ghislaine Maxwell- Case Archive
personpersonDavid RodgersDavid RodgersProfessional pilot who served as Jeffrey Epstein's chief pilot, captain, first officer, and flight engineer.← All People
Witness

David Rodgers

Professional pilot who served as Jeffrey Epstein's chief pilot, captain, first officer, and flight engineer.

AppearedFederal Criminal Trial
1,090 lines·6 proceedings·2 mentions

About

On Day 8, pilot David Rodgers testified about his long employment for Jeffrey Epstein, flight-related communications involving Ghislaine Maxwell, and his personal flight logbook. He said Maxwell sometimes notified pilots of flights and had responsibilities involving properties and aircraft.

On direct examination, Rodgers authenticated Government Exhibit 662 and the public redacted version, explaining that the logbook recorded flights he personally crewed and listed passenger names when known. He then identified selected entries from 1996 through 2001 involving Epstein, Maxwell, Jane, and Virginia Roberts, and explained that unknown passengers could be recorded by gender or other placeholders.

On cross-examination, Rodgers described limits on the logbook as a complete passenger record and said his account of certain 1996 entries associated with Jane depended on a first-name entry and later research of the logbook. He testified that he had not observed sexual activity on flights he piloted and that his view of the passenger cabin could be limited. On redirect, he said he met Jane in November 1996 and another person with the same first name in September 2003, explaining the distinction through his logbook-based recollection.

Trial Record (6)

FederalFederal Criminal TrialNov 29, 2021 – Dec 29, 2021Called by prosecution

On Day 8, pilot David Rodgers authenticated and explained his flight logbook, then testified about selected flights involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jane, and Virginia Roberts.

Day 8

DirectDavid RodgersMaurene Comey2highlights136lines spoken

Summary

Pilot David Rodgers authenticated his flight logbook and described Maxwell's role in flight communications and Epstein's operations.

Highlights (2)

evidence eventRodgers authenticated his logbook as a copy he reviewed for accuracy and said entries were made shortly after flights; the court admitted the sealed exhibit and its public redacted version.Open in transcript →
Quote“Yes, it would have been made at the time that flight was over, probably within 30 minutes of the passengers leaving.”— David RodgersRodgers described when he made entries in his flight logbook.Open in transcript →
CrossDavid RodgersChristian R. Everdell2highlights661lines spoken

Summary

David Rodgers acknowledged that key flight-date testimony rested on his logbook, whose earlier entries listed only Jane's true first name, while describing his observations and Maxwell's work role.

Highlights (2)

impeachmentThe defense tested Rodgers's identification of Jane on earlier flights, eliciting that the relevant entries used only her true first name and that he had initially placed their first meeting around 2000 before reviewing his logbook.Open in transcript →
Quote“Just have the first name. That's it.”— David RodgersRodgers summarized the identifying information recorded for the disputed passenger entry.Open in transcript →
RedirectDavid RodgersMaurene Comey2highlights24lines spoken

Summary

David Rodgers tied his recollection of meeting Jane to his logbook; the court then addressed defense-case timing, a charge conference, and briefing on 52.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightRodgers distinguished Jane from another person with the same first name, placing their meetings in November 1996 and September 2003 respectively and grounding his confidence in the logbook.Open in transcript →
Quote“Based upon my logbook.”— David RodgersRodgers identified the basis for his confidence in when he met Jane.Open in transcript →

Day 17