US authorities have discovered more than a million additional documents potentially related to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, planning to release them soon, officials have announced.
The FBI and federal prosecutors in New York informed the Department of Justice (DoJ) about the find. 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 on Wednesday.
They indicated that it could take a few more weeks before all files are fully released. This disclosure comes after the DoJ faced criticism for not having released all Epstein files by the December 19 deadline established by new legislation.
The department vowed to continue to fully comply with federal law and President Trump's direction to release the files. A comprehensive timeline on how the FBI and the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York found these additional documents has not been specified.
Epstein was awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors when he died in a New York prison.
Recently, the justice department released thousands of files, although many were heavily redacted, raising concerns over the extent of transparency regarding Epstein’s associates. The ongoing release of the files is part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Trump, which mandates the agency share all documents while protecting the identities of victims.
However, the number of redactions drew criticism from lawmakers, who argued they compel the department to disclose internal communications and memos about investigatory decisions related to Epstein and his associates. The majority of the released documents included emails suggesting several potential co-conspirators, of whom some had received subpoenas.
This latest announcement invigorates scrutiny over the Epstein case, alongside widespread calls for the Justice Department to act transparently. As new information unfolds, the implications on past investigations and public accountability continue to weigh heavily on the agency.
Overall, as the DoJ prepares to release these new documents, the ongoing Epstein saga remains a focal point of media and public interest, with many demanding accountability and full disclosure of findings for justice to prevail.
