Justice Department Continues Release of Epstein Files Amid Calls for Transparency
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is in the midst of reviewing and releasing hundreds of thousands of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, with a team of approximately 200 analysts expected to complete the task within about a week. So far, around 750,000 records have been reviewed and disclosed, with an estimated 700,000 more remaining to be examined. However, many of these may be duplicates, which could reduce the actual remaining count to thousands.
The initial rounds of document releases began last Friday, with hundreds of thousands of materials disclosed across various forms including photographs. By Tuesday, a third release included about 30,000 records from investigations into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These releases came after public outrage over a limited initial disclosure and pressure from victims and legal threats following the 19 December deadline for full transparency.
Among the newly released documents are mentions of former President Donald Trump, including a 2020 email indicating that Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet more times than previously known. One passenger list cited includes Epstein, Trump, and a then-20-year-old individual.
The DOJ has warned that some released materials include false leads, such as a fabricated letter from Epstein to Larry Nassar and a fake video purporting to show Epstein's suicide. Officials caution that fake documents may appear among production.
An FBI document within the releases identifies ten potential co-conspirators, but only three names are unredacted: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jean-Luc Brunel, and Leslie Wexner. Representatives for Wexner have denied allegations of co-conspiracy, stating he was not involved and cooperated fully with investigators.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for greater transparency, urging the DOJ to disclose the identities of those on the conspirator list, their involvement, and the reasons why they have not faced prosecution.
