NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has released a substantial collection of documents implicating Jeffrey Epstein in sexual abuse, totaling more than 3 million pages. This unprecedented disclosure aims for transparency as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, reflecting significant public and legislative pressure for accountability.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that along with vast amounts of documents, over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images related to Epstein's activities would be made available on the department’s website. This recent release includes records previously withheld from last December's initial document dump, emphasizing efforts to uphold transparency about Epstein's notorious actions.
“This release signifies the conclusion of a comprehensive identification and review of documents, aimed at ensuring transparency to the American public,” Blanche stated during a press conference.
In an attempt to protect the identities of victims, certain materials were redacted, especially concerning individuals other than Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's confidant, who has been convicted on related charges of sex trafficking. The total scope of available files has swollen to nearly six million pages due to the needs for thorough examination and redaction of sensitive content.
Additionally, previous documents released in late 2022 included flight logs and testimonies linking prominent figures to Epstein, further igniting the urgency for accountability and thorough investigations regarding the trafficking and exploitation of young girls.
Epstein, whose connections spanned from political to entertainment realms, died by suicide in August 2019, provoking further scrutiny around the extent of his network and collaborators. His associate, Maxwell, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2021, serving as a focal point for authorities aiming to rectify the failures surrounding the initial investigations into Epstein's crimes.
With ongoing calls for justice, the Justice Department continues to assert its commitment to transparency while safeguarding the rights and identities of victims entangled in this complex and tragic narrative.
