Nicola Caputo denies Epstein-file link after his name is read into US record

Nicola Caputo, an Italian politician and government adviser, moved Tuesday to distance himself from the Jeffrey Epstein document controversy after a U.S. lawmaker publicly read “Nicola Caputo” among six names that had been blacked out in versions of the files. Caputo said he has nothing to do with the Epstein case and argued the “Nicola Caputo” referenced is not him, thrusting a relatively low-profile Italian figure into a high-voltage U.S. political fight over transparency and redactions.

The naming happened during a Feb. 10, 2026, floor speech in Washington, with the broader dispute centered on how Epstein-related records have been released, what remains hidden, and why.

What happened in Washington

Two members of Congress—one Republican and one Democrat—reviewed unredacted Epstein-related materials at the Justice Department and later criticized the continued use of blackouts in “unredacted” releases. On Feb. 10, one of the lawmakers used the protections of congressional speech to read a list of six names into the public record, including “Nicola Caputo.”

The lawmakers’ core claim is procedural: they say some identities were concealed without a clear legal justification, beyond standard protections for victims, witnesses, and sensitive investigative details. The Justice Department has not provided a public, line-by-line explanation for the specific redactions the lawmakers highlighted.

Caputo’s response and what he’s saying

Caputo, a former member of the European Parliament and a longtime regional politician in southern Italy, rejected any connection to Epstein’s network. In public comments, he said the Nicola Caputo being sought is not him and noted that, during the period tied to the files being discussed, he held regional office and did not have contacts in the United States. He also said he intended to seek clarification through official channels.

His pushback underscores a key uncertainty: the U.S. lawmaker’s list did not include identifying details beyond names, leaving open whether “Nicola Caputo” refers to the Italian politician, another individual with the same name, or a record entry with limited context (such as an email, contact list, or passing reference).

Who Nicola Caputo is in Italian politics

Caputo is best known for work tied to agriculture and regional economic policy. He served as a member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019 and later held senior responsibilities within the Campania regional government. In late 2025, he was appointed to an advisory role connected to export and internationalization policy for Italy’s food supply chain and related European policy work.

Those roles make him a recognizable figure in Italian political circles, but not a household name internationally—one reason his appearance in a U.S. controversy drew immediate attention and confusion.

Why a name can appear without proving wrongdoing

The central tension in the Epstein documents debate is that being mentioned does not automatically indicate criminal conduct. Large investigative files can contain:

• Contact lists, emails, or travel-related references that are not evidence of a crime

• Names surfaced through tips, interviews, or third-party correspondence

• Partial identifiers that are difficult to match to a specific person without more context

That’s why Caputo’s denial matters but does not, by itself, resolve the question of identity. If the records only include a name without unique markers—date of birth, address, passport details, or corroborating communications—misidentification risk rises quickly, especially with common names.

What to watch for next

The dispute is likely to turn on whether additional context is released publicly. A few developments would clarify the Caputo question fast:

• A description of what “Nicola Caputo” is tied to inside the files (email thread, contact entry, interview note, or something else)

• Confirmation from officials that the reference points to a particular individual, or that it remains ambiguous

• Any corrective statement if the name was read broadly without verifying identity

For now, the public record contains a name and a denial—without enough disclosed documentation to conclusively match the entry to the Italian politician or rule him out.

Sources consulted: CBS News; ANSA; European Parliament; Regione Campania