The Department of Justice (DOJ) has committed approximately 400 lawyers to review over two million documents as part of its ongoing compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This announcement comes after the DOJ indicated on Christmas Eve that it would require “a few more weeks” to finalize the release of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Officials revealed on Tuesday that the documents identified are in “various phases of review.” This includes more than one million additional documents recently uncovered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI. The development has caused further delays in meeting the congressionally mandated deadline initially set for December 19, 2023.
In a recent court filing, the DOJ stated that a significant number of its lawyers will dedicate their workdays to this review process. Staff from the criminal and national security divisions, alongside over 100 FBI analysts experienced in handling sensitive victim materials, are collaborating in this extensive effort.
Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, emphasized the necessity for careful handling of the documents, stating that many of the attorneys involved have expertise in victim privacy matters. “While the commitment of Department personnel to this effort has been substantial in breadth and impressive in effort, substantial work remains to be done,” Clayton noted.
As of now, the DOJ has posted 12,285 documents to the “DOJ Epstein Library,” which collectively amount to approximately 125,575 pages. While the DOJ anticipates that a considerable portion of the newly discovered documents may be largely duplicative of others already reviewed, they still require processing and deduplication.
In light of the ongoing review, Clayton mentioned that the department has received numerous inquiries from alleged victims and their representatives. These requests are aimed at ensuring that the necessary redactions are made to protect the privacy of victims. The DOJ remains committed to safeguarding these privacy interests as much as possible.
The initial release of Epstein-related materials began on December 19, following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act by Congress in November 2023. Following this release, several U.S. senators expressed concerns regarding the completeness and level of redaction in the documents provided.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, along with 11 Democratic senators, has called for an audit by the DOJ’s inspector general to investigate the agency’s handling of the release. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut echoed these sentiments, insisting on the need for complete transparency, stating that it is essential for survivors who have bravely demanded it.
In response to these criticisms, Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, provided an update on New Year’s Eve, assuring the public that DOJ lawyers from various divisions are working continuously, including through the holidays, to review the documents. “It truly is an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Blanche stated. “Required redactions to protect victims take time, but they will not stop these materials from being released. The Attorney General’s and this Administration’s goal is simple: transparency and protecting victims.”
Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, was awaiting trial on multiple sex trafficking charges at the time of his death. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in these activities and has recently been transferred to a federal prison in Texas.
