Ro Khanna Names Six Individuals He Says Were Unjustifiably Redacted From Epstein Files
US Representative Ro Khanna has publicly identified six individuals he says were unnecessarily redacted from investigative documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, intensifying a dispute between lawmakers and the Justice Department over transparency.
Khanna, a Democrat from California, disclosed the names during remarks on the House floor following a congressional review of unredacted Epstein-related files at the Department of Justice. The review was conducted alongside Republican Representative Thomas Massie under the framework of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation aimed at expanding public access to government records linked to the Epstein case.
According to Khanna, many of the documents released to the public remain heavily censored despite the law’s stated goal of limiting unnecessary redactions. He said that during the review, he and Massie identified six names that had been blacked out in previously released versions of the files without what he described as clear legal justification.
Khanna told lawmakers that after the issue was raised with Justice Department officials, the six names were subsequently unredacted in the reviewed materials.
The individuals named by Khanna are Leslie Wexner, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze, Nicola Caputo and Leonic Leonov.
Khanna stressed that the appearance of a person’s name in the investigative files does not imply criminal conduct. He said none of the individuals he mentioned have been charged in connection with Epstein’s crimes based solely on their inclusion in the documents.
The Justice Department has said redactions in the Epstein files were made for legal and privacy reasons. However, lawmakers from both parties have continued to push for broader disclosure, arguing that excessive redactions undermine public trust and the intent of the transparency legislation.
Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, a case that has continued to draw scrutiny over the handling and disclosure of related records.
#UnitedStates #RoKhanna #JeffreyEpstein #JusticeDepartment #Congress #Transparency #Politics #diplomatsWorld
