The US Department of Justice (DoJ) released its latest - and largest - tranche of files on Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday. The 11,000-plus documents continue a stream of released information that began on Friday, the deadline mandated in a law that required the department to publicly release all of its investigative files into the late convicted sex offender.
Many of the documents released on Tuesday were redacted with names and information blacked out, including names of people who the FBI appears to cite as possible co-conspirators in the Epstein case. The DoJ is facing criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle over the amount of redactions in its files. The new law specifically states that redactions can only be done to protect the identity of victims or active criminal investigations.
US President Donald Trump's name appeared more in these new documents than in previous releases. Many were media clippings that mention him, but one notable email from a federal prosecutor indicated that Trump flew on Epstein's jet.
The DoJ has said that some files contain untrue and sensationalist claims about Trump. Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing. The BBC has requested comment from individuals named in our reporting.
Of the thousands of pages included in this latest release, one 2001 email sent by a person identified as A stands out. The message, to Epstein's accomplice and close associate Ghislaine Maxwell, says that A is at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family. A then asks Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for sex trafficking of minors and other offences: Have you found me some new inappropriate friends? In another email sent later that day, Maxwell writes back: So sorry to disappoint you, however the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends.
Among the documents released are emails appearing to be sent between FBI personnel in 2019 that mention 10 possible co-conspirators of Epstein. The emails said six of the group had been served with subpoenas. This included three in Florida, one in Boston, one in New York City, and one in Connecticut. Four subpoenas were yet to be served when the emails were sent, including to one wealthy businessman in Ohio.
A letter included in the released batch of documents has gained plenty of attention online. But, according to the DoJ, it is fake. The handwritten letter and envelope appeared to show Epstein writing to Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor who is serving decades in prison for sexually abusing young female athletes. However, the letter, deemed undeliverable, noted several irregularities that led the justice department to call it fraudulent.
Throughout the files that were released on Tuesday, while many other mentions of Trump are simply in press clippings mentioning him, his campaigns, and other news moments, a notable prosecutor's email indicates Trump's travels on Epstein's jet were more frequent than previously reported. Specifically, Trump’s name surfaced concerning travel on Epstein's private jet on at least eight occasions between 1993 and 1996, alongside Ghislaine Maxwell.
Among the oddities found in the document drop was a fake video purporting to show Epstein in a prison cell, raising questions about how it made its way into official DOJ records. Overall, the findings represent part of a broader ongoing investigation that continues to intrigue both the public and lawmakers.
