The Department of Justice released redacted FBI emails from July 2019 showing agents pursued a list of "10 co‑conspirators" shortly after Jeffrey Epstein's arrest on sex‑trafficking charges. A July 7 message from an "FBI New York" sender asks for a status update, and follow‑up notes describe attempts to serve subpoenas across multiple states. The records name Ghislaine Maxwell, Jean‑Luc Brunel and Leslie Wexner, but heavy redactions and unreleased memos leave many identities and details unclear.
DOJ Emails Show FBI Sought 10 'Co-Conspirators' After Jeffrey Epstein Arrest
Ghislaine Maxwell trial exhibit
Newly released Department of Justice records reveal that FBI agents sought to locate "10 co-conspirators" in the days following Jeffrey Epstein's July 2019 arrest on sex‑trafficking charges. The heavily redacted emails, dated in early July 2019, show repeated requests for status updates and efforts to serve subpoenas on the individuals of interest.
What The Emails Say
One message, dated July 7, 2019 and sent from an address with an "FBI New York" signature block, asks: "When you get a chance can you give me an update on the status of the 10 CO conspirators?" Subsequent notes demanded an update "by COB today" and described outreach efforts across multiple states. The correspondence indicates that several people were reached, while a "wealthy businessman in Ohio" could not be contacted.
Named Individuals And Redactions
Most names in the released documents are redacted, but three figures are visible: Ghislaine Maxwell (Epstein's former partner, later convicted), the late modeling agent Jean‑Luc Brunel, and former Victoria's Secret CEO Leslie Wexner. The records note that Wexner — who lives in Ohio and once had Epstein as a financial manager — severed ties with Epstein after the 2007 Florida indictment.
Follow-Up And Investigative Memos
Hours after the initial exchange, a reply discussed continued outreach in New York, Florida, Massachusetts and Ohio and specifically referenced Wexner by name:
"I do not know about Ohio contacting Wexner."The released packet also refers to memos drafted after Epstein's death that reportedly outline co‑conspirators who could potentially be charged; those memos have not been included in the DOJ release.
Responses From Wexner's Team
Lawyers for Leslie Wexner told BBC News that the assistant U.S. attorney leading the Epstein probe told them at the time that Wexner was neither a co‑conspirator nor a target. They said Wexner cooperated by providing background information and "was never contacted again."
What’s Still Unknown
Because the documents are heavily redacted and some referenced memos were not released, significant questions remain about who the other named individuals are and whether any additional charges were contemplated. The records shed light on the scope of early investigative efforts but leave many details unresolved.
