The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it is assigning approximately 400 lawyers to review over two million documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This decision follows the department’s statement on December 24, 2023, indicating the need for “a few more weeks” to complete the release of materials mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The DOJ’s ongoing efforts have faced delays, pushing back compliance with the December 19 deadline set by Congress.
The new documents were uncovered by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI. The DOJ had previously revealed that more than a million additional documents potentially linked to the case had been located. In a court filing, federal prosecutors detailed that the team working on this project will dedicate significant portions of their workday to ensure compliance with the Act.
Efforts are being spearheaded by attorneys from the criminal and national security divisions, alongside over 100 FBI analysts who specialize in handling sensitive materials related to victims. In a letter from Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, he emphasized the importance of careful redaction due to the sensitive nature of the documents. Clayton remarked, “Many of the attorneys dedicated to this review have experience in victim-privacy related matters, which is necessary given the nature of the materials and the types of documents that require careful redaction.”
As of now, the DOJ has posted 12,285 documents to the “DOJ Epstein Library,” which collectively comprise around 125,575 pages. Officials indicated that a significant portion of newly discovered documents may be largely duplicative of existing materials, but they still require processing and deduplication.
Since the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the DOJ has received numerous inquiries from alleged victims and their representatives. These inquiries have requested additional redactions to protect their privacy. The DOJ stated, “The department remains committed to providing as much protection to the privacy interests of victims and their relatives as is practicable.”
The DOJ commenced the release of Epstein-related materials on December 19, following the Act’s passage in November. However, following the initial release, lawmakers and the public expressed dissatisfaction, citing that the documents appeared heavily redacted and incomplete.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, along with 11 Democratic colleagues, urged the DOJ’s inspector general to investigate the agency’s failure to meet the release deadline. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut echoed these concerns, demanding an audit to ensure complete transparency, which he emphasized is crucial for survivors.
In response to the scrutiny, Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, reassured the public on New Year’s Eve that DOJ personnel are working continuously, including during holidays, to review the documents. He stated, “It truly is an all-hands-on-deck approach, and we’re asking as many lawyers as possible to commit their time to review the documents that remain.”
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in facilitating Epstein’s crimes and was recently transferred to a federal facility in Texas. The DOJ’s commitment to transparency and protecting the rights of victims is expected to continue as the review process unfolds.
