General Discussion

In happier days at Merde-del-Lardo:



A connecting link between Trump and Epstein:

Who is Paolo Zampolli?

by Marc Wells
World Socialist Web Site, 20 April 2026

EXCERPT...

The case of Amanda Ungaro makes the consequences unmistakable. Ungaro, a Brazilian model and Zampolli’s long-time partner, circulated within Trump’s social orbit and the same elite networks. As a teenager, she flew from Paris to New York on Epstein’s “Lolita Express” plane. Ungaro’s agent at the time was Jean-Luc Brunel, a close Epstein associate and alleged procurer. Shortly after, she signed with Zampolli’s agency and began a 20-year relationship with him.

Based on “anonymous tips,” she was arrested in June 2025 in Miami on charges of fraud and practicing medicine without a license. Shortly after, Zampolli, who had been in a long custody dispute with her over their teenage son, contacted senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement official David Venturella. Acting on that outreach, Venturella pressed ICE’s Miami office to take custody of Ungaro before she could be released on bail, noting that the matter was important to someone close to the White House.

Ungaro was subsequently transferred into ICE detention for three and a half months and later deported to Brazil, a process that ICE officials and DHS later attributed to her immigration status and an expired visa. Ungaro argued that Zampolli used immigration enforcement and state power to strengthen his position in their child custody battle.

Independent reporter Brian Krassenstein linked Ungaro’s deportation and threats to expose Jeffrey Epstein to Melania Trump’s recent public statement, writing: “I can confirm with 99% confidence that the reason Melania Trump came out yesterday with her Epstein Statement is because of information possessed by a former friend, and Epstein survivor, Brazilian Model Amanda Ungaro.”

Zampolli did not simply benefit from influence. He deployed one of the most coercive arms of government as a private weapon. If the elite is prepared to use immigration enforcement, which tears apart people’s lives, on its own members, there is no limit as to what it can do to workers.

Zampolli’s broader business career follows the same pattern. His legal battle with billionaire Ron Burkle centered on allegations that he attempted to broker favorable press through a $220,000 arrangement with a New York Post writer. The dispute led to an FBI sting operation. Despite recorded meetings, federal prosecutors declined to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence of criminal intent.

Continues...

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/04/21/ovtv-a21.html

The Trotskyites at WSWS may be on the wrong side of history, but they sure as heck have their facts straight.