Epstein Files Reveal Redactions, Questionable Connections
WASHINGTON D.C. – A review of unredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein has sparked controversy after a Democratic congressman revealed the names of six individuals previously hidden by the Department of Justice (DoJ). While some of those named have clear connections to Epstein, questions have arisen regarding the inclusion of others, with the DoJ admitting that four of the six had no apparent connection to the disgraced financier.
Representative Ro Khanna of California brought the names to light during a floor speech earlier this week, stating they were “wealthy, powerful men that the DoJ hid.” Khanna, along with Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, had pushed for the unredaction of names within the files, arguing that some redactions were unlawful. Massie credited his efforts with forcing the DoJ to remove redactions from a file listing 20 names, birthdays, and photos, including those of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The six individuals named by Khanna are Leslie Wexner, the founder of Victoria’s Secret; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO of DP World and an Emirati billionaire businessperson; Nicola Caputo, Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze, and Leonic Leonov.
However, the DoJ subsequently clarified that Caputo, Nuara, Mikeladze, and Leonov appeared in a photo lineup assembled by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) for investigative purposes and had no apparent connection to Epstein. A spokesperson from the office of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, “Rep Ro Khanna and Rep Thomas Massie forced the unmasking of completely random people selected years ago for an FBI lineup – men and women. These individuals have NOTHING to do with Epstein or Maxwell.”
The revelation prompted a response from Khanna, who posted on X expressing his frustration with the DoJ’s handling of the situation. He stated he wished the DoJ had provided the explanation regarding the photo lineup earlier, criticizing the department for failing to protect survivors, creating confusion for innocent individuals, and protecting “rich and powerful abusers.”
The Guardian spoke with two of the men whose names were read on the House floor – Salvatore Nuara and Leonid Leonov – both of whom vehemently denied any knowledge of Epstein. Nuara, of Queens, New York, said he contacted Khanna’s office after learning his name had been mentioned in connection to Epstein, questioning how he could “clear my name?” Leonov, an IT manager also from Queens, stated he had “no second or third degree connection” to Epstein.
Khanna’s office, in an email to Nuara, acknowledged the DoJ’s lack of transparency and pledged to ensure factual accuracy moving forward. Sarah Drory, Khanna’s communications director, wrote that they would “make sure to be absolutely factual and truthful once we have these facts and certainly not fuel any misimpression DoJ has created.”
The file containing the 20 names and photos appears on the Justice Department’s website multiple times with varying redactions. Analysis of the different versions revealed that 11 individuals had ties to New York City, many with misdemeanor arrests by the NYPD. The remaining five women resembled Ghislaine Maxwell, and five men shared similar characteristics to Jeffrey Epstein.
The DoJ previously told CBS News that Wexner was referenced nearly 200 times in the files, and Bin Sulayem appeared over 4,700 times. Bin Sulayem has since resigned as CEO of DP World following the revelation that Epstein wrote an email expressing his “love” for torture videos, a communication to which Bin Sulayem was a recipient.
A legal representative for Wexner stated that the assistant US attorney informed Wexner’s counsel in 2019 that he was considered a source of information about Epstein and was not a target in any investigation. Wexner reportedly cooperated fully with authorities and was never contacted again.
