Despite the Justice Department’s claim that releasing the Epstein files was meant to ensure full transparency, lawmakers say newly unredacted documents confirm three key players in the records — including the high‑profile individual who received an email from Epstein that read, “I loved the torture video.”
After pressure from lawmakers who reviewed previously hidden records, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun releasing more details from its vast collection of Epstein‑related documents — roughly 3.5 million pages in total.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky told CNN that the DOJ had “improperly redacted” the names of several people the FBI labeled conspirators in 2019, drawing renewed attention to Epstein’s powerful connections.
“What I saw that bothered me were the names of at least six men that have been redacted that are likely incriminated by their inclusion in these files,” Massie said, adding that “it took some digging to find them.”
‘DOJ is hiding nothing’ Initially, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — who publicly sparred with Massie online — argued that “the document you cite has numerous victim names.”
He added, “We have just unredacted all non‑victim names from this document. The DOJ is committed to transparency.” In a separate post, he insisted the “DOJ is hiding nothing.”
Confirmed names in unredacted files Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and publicly known co‑conspirator, is the only person criminally charged in connection with Epstein’s trafficking operation. She is currently serving a 20‑year prison sentence for recruiting and grooming underage girls.
NBC reports that the updated 2019 document reveals several people identified by the FBI as alleged conspirators — four of whom, including Maxwell, are now fully unredacted.
Billionaire businessman Les Wexner, former CEO of Victoria’s Secret Wexner’s ties to Epstein date back to the 1980s, when he entrusted the financier with managing his wealth. The 88‑year‑old executive claimed he severed the relationship after abuse allegations surfaced in Florida. Afterward, Wexner wrote in a letter to his foundation that it was “discovered that [Epstein] had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family.”
“I never would have imagined that a person I employed more than a decade ago could have caused so much pain. I condemn his abhorrent behavior in the strongest possible terms and am sickened by the revelations,” Wexner, who co‑founded Bath & Body Works, wrote in 2019.
In a statement to NBC, Wexner’s legal representative said: “The Assistant U.S. Attorney told Mr. Wexner’s legal counsel in 2019 that Mr. Wexner was neither a co‑conspirator nor a target in any respect. Mr. Wexner cooperated fully by providing background information on Epstein and was never contacted again.”
Lesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime executive assistant at his Palm Beach residence Groff, considered one of Epstein’s “gatekeepers,” denied knowing her boss was involved in criminal activity.
However, The Palm Beach Post reports that three victims accused Groff of facilitating abuse in lawsuits later dropped after they received compensation from Epstein’s estate.
In a 2005 New York Times article, Epstein referred to his assistants as his “social prosthesis.”
“They are an extension of my brain,” he said. “Their intuition is something that I don’t have.”
Groff added: “It comes down to the bond. I know what he is thinking and I know when I need to be fast. It’s a nice roll we are on.”
Facing renewed scrutiny, her attorney Michael Bachner said: “Neither Lesley nor her counsel were ever notified by law enforcement that she was considered an Epstein co‑conspirator. On the contrary, after Lesley voluntarily spoke with prosecutors and answered every question, she was told she was not being prosecuted.”
Jean‑Luc Brunel, the late French modeling agent Brunel, also identified as a co‑conspirator, was arrested on charges including the alleged rape of a minor. In 2022, while awaiting trial, he was found dead in his prison cell. Authorities ruled the death a suicide by hanging.
Brunel had consistently denied the accusations, and his lawyers said his death stemmed from a profound “sense of injustice,” not an admission of guilt.
Torture video Perhaps the most explosive revelation involves an email Epstein wrote to a redacted recipient on April 25, 2009.
“A Sultan seems to have sent this. DOJ should make this public,” Massie posted on X, sharing an image of the disturbing email in which Epstein wrote: “Where are you? Are you ok I loved the torture video.”
Blanche replied: “You looked at the document. You know it’s an email address that was redacted. The law requires redactions for personally identifiable information, including if in an email address. And you know that the Sultan’s name is available unredacted in the files.”
“Our law requires VICTIM’s information to be redacted, not information of men who sent Epstein torture porn!” Massie responded.
The sultan was later identified as Ahmed bin Sulayem, the Emirati businessman and CEO of DP World.
It remains unclear what “torture video” Epstein was referring to.
According to reports, four key players’ names remain redacted in the documents.
As lawmakers continue pushing for full transparency, the public may soon learn even more about the powerful figures who once moved in Epstein’s orbit.
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