The Justice Department has unveiled the names of three individuals previously identified by the FBI as co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein, addressing concerns raised by lawmakers who argued that the names were improperly withheld. This announcement follows the unredacting of sections from an FBI internal document dated August 15, 2019, which lists billionaire Les Wexner among those involved.
Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, voiced strong criticism over the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein-related documents. The Act requires the department to release comprehensive records on Epstein. After reviewing unredacted files at the Justice Department, both lawmakers expressed their discontent publicly, leading to the recent disclosure.
Massie emphasized the need for transparency concerning Wexner’s involvement, stating, “This is a well-known retired CEO. DOJ should unredact this. Why did they redact this?” In response, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche clarified that while the document contained numerous victims’ names, Wexner’s name had already been extensively mentioned in previous filings, assuring that “DOJ is hiding nothing.”
The revised document identifies eight individuals as co-conspirators, including Wexner, former Victoria’s Secret CEO; Lesley Groff, Epstein’s long-time secretary; the late modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel; and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. The identities of four other individuals remain redacted, creating uncertainty about their roles, though prosecutors have suggested that some may have been victims cooperating with investigations.
A legal representative for Wexner stated that in 2019, he was informed by an Assistant U.S. Attorney that he was neither a co-conspirator nor a target in the investigation. Wexner’s ties with Epstein date back to the 1980s, and he has publicly condemned Epstein’s criminal activities, claiming he cut ties upon discovering significant financial misappropriation by Epstein.
Groff’s attorney highlighted that she had never been informed of being considered a co-conspirator, asserting that she fully cooperated with investigators. Brunel, who was implicated in similar allegations and died by suicide in a Paris jail last year, denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
In this context, the Justice Department’s recent documents and the ongoing public discourse underscore the complexities surrounding the investigations into Epstein’s network. As more names come to light, it maintains a focus on transparency and accountability within the judicial system amidst bipartisan scrutiny.
Massie also pointed to an individual described in an Epstein email, urging the Justice Department to disclose this person’s name. Blanche clarified that while the name was redacted due to it being an email address, it is available in unredacted files, referring to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, a prominent Emirati businessman with no allegations against him in connection to Epstein.
Bin Sulayem’s business connections also extend to former President Donald Trump, highlighting the intersections between Epstein’s network and powerful individuals. The Epstein Files Transparency Act was enacted in response to public outcry following a July memo suggesting that the FBI and the Justice Department had conducted a thorough review of their files without finding new evidence implicating additional individuals.
Khanna and Massie have also expressed concerns about other redacted names tied to wealth and influence, arguing that public interest necessitates full disclosure of those connected to Epstein. However, some Epstein survivors have raised alarms about their own information being released amidst the ongoing releases.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department acknowledged the potential for inadvertent errors in redactions within the extensive documentation, encouraging victims and the public to report any oversights for prompt resolution. The scandal surrounding Epstein continues to evoke strong reactions and calls for accountability, as investigators navigate the challenges of uncovering the truth while upholding the rights of victims.