Leonik Leonov is among six names that members of the US Congress say were wrongly hidden in recently released Jeffrey Epstein records and later unredacted after their review.
What Triggered the Fresh Disclosure
Representative Ro Khanna read six names on the House floor after he and Representative Thomas Massie viewed less redacted files at the Department of Justice. They argued the names had been withheld for no valid reason under the transparency rules. The six were Leslie Wexner, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Nicola Caputo, Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze and Leonik Leonov.
Newsrooms and wire services reported the same list while stressing that inclusion in the files does not equal evidence of a crime. Khanna did not allege criminal acts by the six during his floor remarks.
Where Leonov’s Name Appears and What It Means
A Times Now explainer notes that Leonov is a lesser-known figure and that public information on him is scarce. It also reiterates that names in Epstein related materials can reflect many roles, including contacts or peripheral references.
Coverage by CBS News adds that DOJ partially unredacted documents where the six names appeared, including a list of twenty names whose context was not fully clear. Reporters emphasized that the files reviewed did not directly implicate the six in crimes.
Key Context at a Glance
- Who named Leonov: Ro Khanna identified Leonov on the House floor after a DOJ viewing session with Thomas Massie.
- What DOJ did after: DOJ partially unredacted specific items where the six names appeared following congressional pressure.
- What reporters say: Multiple outlets note no direct allegations of wrongdoing against Leonov in the released records to date.
- Why this is happening now: The disclosures form part of the large DOJ “Epstein Library,” an online repository created under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and updated in February 2026.
How Leonov Fits into the Broader List
Roundups of the unredacted names explain that two are high profile business figures and four, including Leonov, are not widely known in public records. Outlets caution readers not to conflate a name’s presence with guilt.
Politico’s live coverage similarly recorded Khanna’s remarks, listed the six names and quoted a Wexner representative who said prosecutors viewed Wexner as a source of information rather than a target. This underscores how varied the contexts can be for any single name in the files.
What We Can and Cannot Conclude Today
You can reasonably conclude that Leonik Leonov’s name appears in materials that DOJ has now partially unredacted after lawmakers challenged earlier redactions. You cannot conclude that the files accuse him of crimes. Reporters who reviewed the relevant items and statements found no direct allegations against Leonov in the released documents.
For primary documents and ongoing uploads, consult DOJ’s public repository known as the Epstein Library. It carries a notice that not all materials are fully searchable and that some redactions protect victims and sensitive details.
Why The Story Still Matters
The fight over redactions sits at the heart of public accountability. Khanna and Massie argue that over redaction may protect reputations rather than victims, while DOJ says it must safeguard sensitive information as it processes millions of records. That tension explains both the renewed disclosure push and the cautious framing by credible outlets.
