Gary King: I Didn’t Know Epstein Funded Flight to DC | New Mexico News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Attorney General Gary King has addressed his involvement in a chartered flight linked to Jeffrey Epstein, stating he was unaware of Epstein’s connection to the flight at the time. The revelation, stemming from documents released as part of the Epstein Files, has prompted scrutiny of both King and former U.S. Representative Deb Haaland, who were both passengers on the flight in September 2014.

King, who was then a candidate for Governor of New Mexico, explained that the flight to Washington, D.C. Was arranged to facilitate an important series of meetings with key union leaders. He stated that he and Haaland, then a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, needed to reach the capital quickly and efficiently. “We couldn’t find any redeye flights and it was an important meeting at that time with these union leaders then in Washington, D.C.,” King said.

Documents obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that the chartered flight from Santa Fe to Washington, D.C. Was coordinated through an LLC owned by Epstein. Emails further indicate that King directly requested Epstein’s assistance in providing the aircraft. However, King maintains that he was unaware of Epstein’s ownership of the charter company and that the arrangements were made by former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

“It was an important meeting at that time with these union leaders then in Washington, D.C. It was, I think, the National Education Association, and one of the big government employees unions and the firefighters and several that Bill Richardson knew well, so he was trying to help us to get that set up, so we just decided the best way to get there was to charter an airplane, a private jet,” King explained. He emphasized that Richardson, leveraging his established relationships, sought a convenient travel solution for the candidates.

King also recounted a single, brief encounter with Epstein, stating that the meeting was prompted by Epstein’s condolences following the death of King’s father. “The time that I met him, he called me because he had heard that my dad had passed away. And then he said that he wanted to meet with me and have coffee, and express his condolences for the loss of my dad. And so, we met in Santa Fe and had a cup of tea actually,” King said. He reiterated that this was his only personal interaction with Epstein.

King affirmed that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s association with the charter company or the aircraft itself. He also stated that he had returned any campaign contributions received from Epstein or companies linked to him during his previous campaigns for office. This action, he indicated, was taken as a precautionary measure once the extent of Epstein’s crimes became public.

The late Governor Richardson’s attorneys and spokespeople have consistently maintained that he was not a close associate of Epstein. They have stated that Richardson and his wife visited Epstein’s ranch only once. They have also confirmed that Richardson cooperated with federal investigators examining Epstein’s activities, and that he was neither a subject, target, nor witness in the investigation.

The emergence of these details comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of individuals who may have had connections to Epstein. The Epstein Files, a collection of court documents and records released by a federal judge, have revealed a network of associates and enablers linked to the convicted sex offender. The revelations regarding King and Haaland add to the growing list of public figures whose past interactions with Epstein are now under examination.

Haaland, who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2021 to 2025 and as a U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st congressional district prior to that, previously stated that she was unaware of who organized the flight. The incident raises questions about due diligence and the potential for unwitting association with individuals involved in illicit activities.

The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive, as King is currently a candidate for Governor of New Mexico. The scrutiny surrounding his connection to Epstein could potentially impact his campaign. The incident underscores the enduring legacy of Epstein’s crimes and the continuing efforts to uncover the full extent of his network and influence.

The case highlights the complexities of navigating political fundraising and the challenges of vetting potential travel arrangements. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability for public officials. While King and Haaland both assert they were unaware of Epstein’s involvement, the incident has inevitably raised questions about their judgment and the potential for unintended consequences.