The U.S. Justice Department has started releasing documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a new law mandating public disclosure of unclassified records.
Officials say the release will occur in phases, with hundreds of thousands of pages already published and more expected in the coming weeks. The documents include photographs, court records, travel logs and contact lists, though many sections have been heavily redacted to protect victims and ongoing investigations.
Some lawmakers are unhappy with how the information is being released. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the government is not being open enough. And other Democrats are now looking at legal ways to force the Justice Department to release all the files, after officials admitted they missed the original deadline.
However, the files reference several high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump, but officials stress that appearances in the records do not imply wrongdoing. No new criminal charges have emerged from the initial release.
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Justice officials say the disclosure process is ongoing and additional files will be made public as reviews are completed.
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