More than a dozen Epstein accusers have cited the withholding and redaction of hundreds of thousands of pages, including all 119 pages of grand jury documents.
Epstein files to be dropped on legal day, but remain incomplete
The Justice Department released the Epstein file in response to the Epstein File Transparency Act, but many documents are still missing.
WASHINGTON – More than a dozen Jeffrey Epstein accusers have criticized the Justice Department’s release of documents related to its investigation into sex trafficking allegations, calling them “full of unexplained, unusual and extreme redactions.”
One example is a grand jury document that a federal judge authorized to release, but all 119 pages were blacked out. None of its financial documents have been made public, leaving hundreds of thousands of pages unpublished.
“These are clear violations of the law,” the group wrote in a two-page letter, calling for oversight and accountability from Congress.
‘No authorization for delayed disclosure’ of Epstein files
The two House members who authored the Epstein File Transparency Act, which directed the department to release records by Dec. 19, accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of “breaking the law” by releasing parts of the documents and threatened to hold her in contempt.
Bondi reaffirmed on social media the department’s intention to prosecute those involved in Epstein’s alleged human trafficking and exploitation of girls as young as 14. Mr Bondi asked the victim to come forward. She called the Trump administration the most transparent in history.
Congress approved the bill, signed by President Donald Trump, requiring the release by Dec. 19 of the names of alleged victims, depictions of child sexual abuse, and any department files that would adversely affect the prosecution of a case.
“Permission to delay disclosure was not obtained,” the group said in the letter. “Instead, the public received a portion of the file, but what we received was full of unusual and extreme edits without any explanation.”
However, in releasing hundreds of thousands of documents, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged on Friday, December 19, that hundreds of thousands more documents are still being reviewed. He also told Congress that some documents could be withheld under legal privilege, which covers things like lawyers’ internal deliberations and communications with clients.
Blanche said more documents would be released in the coming weeks. The law requires the ministry to list the documents that have been withheld from release and to explain the reasons for the decision within 15 days.
Epstein files have ‘no guidance on how to find materials’
Epstein and members of Congress are pushing for the release of documents to identify suspects who may have helped Epstein cover up or cover up the human trafficking allegations.
But the accusers criticized the department for the delays and redactions, as well as the way the documents were released, saying it “made it difficult or impossible for survivors to find the materials most relevant to our search.”
“There is no guidance for survivors on how to locate materials related to our own cases, and despite repeated requests, we have not been provided with copies of our own files,” the group wrote.
Signers of the letter are Jess Michaels, Rachel Benavidez, Danielle Bensky, Lara Blume McGee, Marieke Chartouni, Anuska de Giorgio, Maria Farmer, Annie Farmer, Teresa J. Helm, Marina Lacerda, Lisa Phillips, Ashley Rubright, Amanda and Skye Roberts, Charlene Rochard, and Liz Stein. Also included were three others identified as AW and two Jane Does.
Lawmakers threaten to hold Bondi in contempt over Epstein’s partial release
Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) each accused Bondi of “breaking the law” by not releasing more documents. They threatened to hold her in contempt of Congress.
Massey said on social media on Sunday, Dec. 21, that “Epstein survivors are not satisfied with the Justice Department’s incomplete and redacted” disclosures starting Dec. 19. Ms Massey said “unfortunately” Bondi was “breaking the law”.
“Congress should assert its ability to hold Mr. Bondi in ‘substantial contempt’ to bring justice to survivors,” Massey said.
New York Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer proposed a resolution on Monday, Dec. 22, that would force the Justice Department to release more documents. But the Democratic Party is in the minority, so its prospects are uncertain. “We cannot allow this administration to hide the truth,” Schumer said on social media.
This article has been updated to add new information.
