Epstein Files Review Update from Justice Department
Over two weeks past the December 19 deadline, the Justice Department has informed that there are still millions of documents tied to the late Jeffrey Epstein pending review. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in New York, officials noted there are “more than 2 million documents that may fall under the law and are in various stages of review.”
The department elaborated on the review process, detailing steps such as identifying and uploading documents to a review platform, conducting manual reviews of those containing victim information, and performing redactions. In addition, quality control checks are being executed, alongside the posting of relevant materials in response to inquiries from victims and the public.
Recent Epstein Files Released
As part of the Epstein File Transparency Act, signed by former President Donald Trump in November, the Justice Department is mandated to “release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” regarding Epstein’s cases in a searchable format.
Thus far, around 12,285 documents amounting to approximately 125,575 pages have been made public, which is less than 1% of the records that could be pertinent to the ongoing situation. Although many documents remain unreleased, the department suggested that a significant number might be duplicates.
Details on the Latest Release
The department’s letter reads that its identification and collection efforts span a wide array of documents that are still pending review. Given their experience in releasing materials promptly while safeguarding victim privacy, they are modifying how they handle reviews. This pertains to factors like document type and the potential for containing sensitive or privileged information.
The aim is to release more documents without breaching privacy standards and adhering to court orders. There’s a focus on streamlining the vetting process by removing duplicates, prioritizing correspondence, determining document sensitivity, and designating a seasoned attorney from the Southern District of New York to oversee the review of sensitive victim information.
The letter mentioned that currently over 400 attorneys are involved in the process, dedicating significant time to ensure compliance with the Act. This includes more than 125 attorneys from the Southern District of New York, as well as additional legal professionals from various divisions within the Department of Justice.
However, the Justice Department has not put forth a new timeline for the release of documents or predicted when the review process will conclude.
