In a move that could reshape the post‑mortem inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein, two federal judges in New York and Florida today ordered the public disclosure of pivotal documents, including records on Ghislaine Maxwell and the 2019 grand jury.
Further Decisions on Epstein Files, Enacted After Law Adoption
On Tuesday, 9 December, New York Judge Paul Engelmayer ordered the disclosure of records related to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s close associate convicted of sexual offenses involving minors. The following day, Judge Richard Berman followed suit by ordering the release of the 2019 grand jury records that investigated Epstein’s activities. Berman had previously rejected a Department of Justice request in August to declassify grand jury material, citing “possible threats to the safety and privacy of victims.” These judicial actions were prompted by a bill signed by President Trump in March that urged the DOJ to disclose “all significant statements before the grand jury” concerning the case. Earlier in December, a federal judge in Florida ordered the release of additional investigative documents from 2005 and 2007, also tied to the Epstein investigation.
Trump: We Have Nothing to Hide
President Donald Trump long claimed that his friendship with Epstein ended before the 2019 arrest. While initially opposing the disclosure of related documents, he reversed his position shortly before lawmakers voted on the matter. In November, he publicly urged Republican members of the House of Representatives to support the release of further Epstein records, writing on Truth Social that “Republicans in the House should vote for the release of Epstein documents, as we have nothing to hide.” Earlier leaks of certain Epstein emails had suggested that Trump might have been aware of Epstein’s relationships with minors.
Jeffrey Epstein Convicted of Sexual Crimes and Youth Abuse
Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of sexual crimes and the exploitation of young girls. He died in 2019 while in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
