U.S. authorities have identified over a million additional documents potentially related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, with plans to release them in the coming days and weeks, officials have stated.
The discovery was reported to the Department of Justice (DoJ) by the FBI and federal prosecutors in New York.
“We have lawyers working diligently to review and implement legally required redactions to safeguard victims, and we will release the documents as expeditiously as possible,” the DoJ announced on Wednesday.
The department anticipates that the full release of the files may take “a few more weeks.” The DoJ has faced scrutiny for failing to meet the December 19 deadline mandated by new legislation for the release of all Epstein-related files.
The agency affirmed its commitment to “fully comply with federal law and President Trump’s directive to release the files.”
The statement did not elaborate on how the FBI and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York uncovered the additional material. At the time of his death while awaiting trial in a New York prison, Epstein faced charges of sex trafficking of minors in the state.
This announcement follows the justice department’s release of thousands of documents, some heavily redacted, pertaining to investigations into Epstein.
The department has been releasing the documents in installments, with top officials indicating that hundreds of thousands of documents remain to be released.
The files are being released in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by then-President Donald Trump, mandating the agency to share all documents with the public while protecting the identities of victims.
Many of the released documents, which include videos, photos, emails, and investigative materials, contain extensive redactions, including the names of individuals whom the FBI appears to identify as potential co-conspirators in the Epstein case.
The justice department has drawn criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum regarding the extent of the redactions, which the law permits only to protect victims’ identities and active criminal investigations.
In a post on X after the discovery of the additional documents was announced, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, a congressional panel investigating the Epstein case, accused the White House of “illegally” withholding the files.
“Every day we see lies, incompetence, missed deadlines, and illegal redactions,” Representative Robert Garcia stated.
The law passed by Congress and signed last month by Trump stipulates that names and information that might be embarrassing or cause “reputational harm” are not allowed to be redacted.
It specifically requests internal communications and memos from the DoJ detailing who was investigated and decisions on whether “to charge, not charge, investigate, or decline to investigate Epstein or his associates.”
Among the documents are emails apparently exchanged between FBI personnel in 2019 referencing 10 potential “co-conspirators” of Epstein.
The emails indicated that subpoenas had been served to six members of the group, including three in Florida, one in Boston, one in New York City, and one in Connecticut.
Identifying potential co-conspirators in Epstein’s crimes is a primary concern for his victims and for numerous lawmakers who have demanded greater transparency from the justice department.
Previous releases of Epstein documents have included revelations that resonated internationally.
Peter Mandelson was dismissed as the UK’s ambassador to the US after details surfaced regarding his friendship with the convicted sex offender, including telling Epstein “I think the world of you” the day before Epstein began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008.
In a letter to staff, Lord Mandelson stated that “I deeply regret” the circumstances surrounding his departure from the British embassy in Washington D.C. He described being ambassador as “the privilege of my life” and reiterated that he continued “to feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein twenty years ago and the plight of his victims.”
In October, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relinquished his prince title and was asked to vacate his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, following prolonged scrutiny over his ties to Epstein.
In the latest release of files on Tuesday, a 2001 email sent by an individual identified as “A” from “Balmoral” to Epstein’s accomplice and close associate Ghislaine Maxwell—who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for sex trafficking of minors and other offenses—asks: “Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”
The BBC has contacted Andrew’s team for comment. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has stated that he did not “see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his [Epstein’s] arrest and conviction.”
The storms have brought flash flooding and mudslides during a time of busy holiday travel.
Rep Joyce Beatty, who sits on the centre’s board, argues the name change is illegal because it requires approval from Congress.
The prize marks the second-largest US lottery jackpot ever won.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for parts of California, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego.
The White Settlement Police Department is searching for two suspects.