Ask Onix
US authorities uncover additional million documents tied to Epstein case
Federal investigators have identified over a million more files potentially linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which will be made public in the next few weeks, the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced on Wednesday.
Timeline and legal obligations
The FBI and federal prosecutors in New York notified the DoJ of the discovery, though they did not disclose how the new material was found. Epstein was facing charges for sex trafficking of minors in New York when he died in prison while awaiting trial in 2019.
The DoJ stated that its legal team is working continuously to review and redact the documents to comply with federal law, which mandates protections for victims' identities. Officials expect the process to take "a few more weeks" before all files are released.
"We have lawyers working around the clock to review and make the legally required redactions to protect victims, and we will release the documents as soon as possible," the DoJ said.
Congressional pressure and criticism
The DoJ has faced mounting scrutiny for missing the 19 December deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law signed by former President Donald Trump. The legislation requires the agency to publicly release all documents related to Epstein while safeguarding victims' identities.
Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, accused the White House of "illegally" withholding files in a post on X. He criticized the administration for "lies, incompetence, missed deadlines, and illegal redactions."
The law explicitly prohibits redactions based on potential reputational harm or embarrassment, demanding transparency on internal communications and memos regarding investigations into Epstein and his associates.
Focus on co-conspirators and past revelations
The newly discovered documents include emails from 2019 referencing 10 individuals described as possible "co-conspirators." Six of them were reportedly served with subpoenas, with locations spanning Florida, Boston, New York City, and Connecticut.
Previous document releases have already had significant repercussions. In the UK, former ambassador Peter Mandelson resigned after emails revealed he had told Epstein "I think the world of you" the day before Epstein began serving a sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. Mandelson later expressed deep regret over his association with Epstein.
Similarly, Prince Andrew of the UK relinquished his royal titles and vacated his Windsor residence following prolonged scrutiny over his ties to Epstein. In a 2001 email released this week, an individual identified as "A" from "Balmoral" asked Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell-who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking-"Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?" The BBC has sought comment from Prince Andrew's representatives.
Ongoing transparency efforts
The DoJ has been releasing documents in batches, with hundreds of thousands of files still pending. The latest releases include heavily redacted materials such as videos, photos, emails, and investigative reports. While the law permits redactions to protect victims and ongoing investigations, lawmakers from both parties have criticized the extent of the redactions.
The DoJ affirmed its commitment to complying with the law and Trump's directive to release the files, though it remains unclear when the full trove will be made public.
