Key facts
- New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez set a July 31 deadline for the Department of Justice to provide unredacted files concerning Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro ranch.
- The DoJ did not respond to requests for comment by the deadline.
- Torrez's office previously received only 31 pages of heavily redacted documents, which he deemed of little use.
- Torrez has stated he is considering legal action, including a lawsuit, to obtain the requested records.
- The US attorney's office for New Mexico stated it provided 31 documents on June 30 and did not retain investigative materials for the Zorro ranch.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) appears to have disregarded a July 31 deadline set by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez for the handover of unredacted files pertaining to alleged abuse at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro ranch. Torrez's office reopened a criminal investigation into the remote 10,000-acre property in February and requested access to relevant records from the DoJ.
Despite promises of cooperation from Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, and Jay Clayton, former US attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Torrez stated that only 31 pages of heavily redacted documents, mostly old news clippings, were provided. He expressed frustration with the DoJ's perceived lack of commitment to uncovering the truth and achieving accountability.
Torrez had previously warned that he would "pursue all available legal remedies without further notice" if the deadline passed, and has not ruled out filing a lawsuit. The SDNY, which led the original Epstein investigation, reportedly informed Torrez in July that it would not cooperate, citing "protective orders" to shield victim identities. However, Clayton indicated in a Senate hearing that dialogue was being sought to reach an accommodation.
The US attorney's office for the district of New Mexico stated it had "substantively responded" on June 30 by emailing the 31 documents, clarifying that it did not lead or retain materials for the Zorro ranch investigation. Torrez, however, reported hearing nothing further from Blanche or the SDNY, emphasizing the delay in delivering justice for survivors.