The US Department of Justice announced Wednesday the discovery of over a million additional documents potentially connected to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. This revelation comes as the DOJ continues to release records related to Epstein, a financier who died in jail in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.
Delayed Release and Redaction Efforts
The release of these files is mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law last month by President Donald Trump. The Act required all files to be released by December 19. However, the Justice Department did not meet this deadline.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attributed the delay to the extensive process of redacting the identities of Epstein’s victims from the documents. The DOJ now estimates it will take “a few more weeks” to process the newly discovered material.
FBI Involvement
According to the DOJ, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI uncovered the additional documents. The department stated that lawyers are “working around the clock” to complete the necessary redactions and release the files as quickly as possible.
The DOJ communicated via X (formerly Twitter) that it is committed to releasing the documents “as soon as possible.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the release of these documents?
The release of these documents is a result of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the release of all files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Why was the original deadline missed?
The Justice Department failed to meet the December 19 deadline due to the need to redact the identities of Epstein’s victims from the files, a process described as painstaking by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Who is involved in reviewing the documents?
The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI are involved in uncovering the documents, while lawyers within the Department of Justice are responsible for reviewing and redacting them.
As the Justice Department continues its review, it remains to be seen what further details about the Epstein case will emerge. Will the release of these documents lead to further investigations or scrutiny of individuals connected to Epstein?
