New Mexico sues US Justice Department for access to unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files

New Mexico has sued the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to gain access to unredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein, alleging the federal agency is obstructing the state's investigation into the late sex offender. The state reopened its probe in February, seeking documents to identify individuals at Epstein's Zorro Ranch who may have participated in or witnessed crimes. The DOJ claims it has provided some files but is restricted from releasing other material due to privacy protections, stating, “New Mexico has provided no lawful basis to justify such sweeping disclosures.”

• New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez stated the state needs these files before charges can be filed, emphasizing, "We haven't charged someone because we need to see those files before we charge someone."
• Separately, a New Mexico legislative Truth Commission released an interim report identifying at least five women and girls abused by Epstein at Zorro Ranch between 1996 and 2012, and at least 30 other potential victims or facilitators in New Mexico.
• The commission has received over 100,000 records from subpoenas but noted that seven subpoenas were refused or ignored, including requests to the FAA for flight records and to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York for evidence provided by New Mexico in 2019 that has not been returned.
• New Mexico authorities claim the DOJ reneged on a 2019 agreement to share information in exchange for the state halting its initial Epstein probe.