Key Highlights
- The Justice Department has released names of three people previously called co-conspirators in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
- Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna criticized the department’s handling of the release, leading to the unredaction of Wexner’s name.
- A separate document showed eight people listed as co-conspirators, including Wexner, Groff, Brunel, and Maxwell.
- The Justice Department stated that four out of six men mentioned by Massie and Khanna are only included in one document, with Wexner’s name appearing nearly 200 times.
Epstein Files: Unveiling the Co-Conspirators
The Justice Department has taken a significant step towards transparency by releasing names of three individuals who were once labeled co-conspirators in the Jeffrey Epstein case. This move was prompted by vocal complaints from lawmakers, Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, who have been critical of the department’s handling of the release of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Massie’s Push for Unredaction
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, played a crucial role in this development. After visiting the Justice Department offices with Khanna, he identified Wexner as one of the individuals whose name should have been unredacted. His post on X linked to an unredacted version of the 2019 FBI document, where Wexner’s name was previously concealed.
Wexner’s Long Relationship
The release of Wexner’s name marks a significant revelation as he had a long-standing relationship with Epstein. Wexner hired Epstein to manage his personal finances in the 1980s and cut ties after Epstein faced accusations of sexually abusing minors. In a statement, Wexner’s legal representative emphasized that his client was never considered a co-conspirator or target by prosecutors.
The Other Names
The document released also includes other names such as Lesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime secretary; Jean-Luc Brunel, the late modeling agent who died in 2022 while awaiting trial on rape charges; and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking. Four other individuals remain redacted, with some suggesting they were potential victims or co-conspirators.
Justice Department’s Response
In response to Massie’s criticism, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the department, stating that Wexner had already been referenced thousands of times in other documents. He also pointed out that four of the six men mentioned by Massie and Khanna were only included in one document.
Unintended Redactions
The Justice Department acknowledged that there might have been unintentional redactions, stating that they had been working daily to address any oversights. However, their response was met with skepticism from lawmakers who believe the department is still hiding information about powerful individuals involved in Epstein’s case. This development highlights the ongoing tension between transparency demands and the need for protecting sensitive information. As the debate continues, the public remains eager for more details on those implicated in Epstein’s criminal activities.
