Anna Hartz
Epstein Grand Jury Records Remain Locked Away After Judge’s Ruling
Secrets, scandals, and power have long swirled around Jeffrey Epstein’s name. His crimes reached into the lives of hundreds of girls and women, while his connections stretched into the highest circles of business and politics.
Many still want to know how he operated for decades, who enabled him, and why he was able to escape justice for so long.
This week, a federal judge in New York shut down one avenue that could have shed light on those questions.
Limited Value
Judge Richard Berman ruled against unsealing grand jury transcripts in the government’s sex-trafficking case against Epstein, reports The Guardian.
He said the value of the material was limited and that releasing it could put victims at risk. According to the judge, the government already has far more extensive files on Epstein than the 70 pages of grand jury documents it sought to make public.
He described the request as a distraction from the larger set of evidence already in government hands.
The documents in question include a PowerPoint presentation, call logs, letters from victims and their lawyers, and transcripts of testimony from a single FBI agent.
That agent had no direct knowledge of the case and spoke mainly in hearsay, the judge noted. Victims’ lawyers also warned that unsealing the material could expose identities and place survivors in danger.
No “Client List”
This decision follows a similar one earlier in the month. Another judge refused to unseal grand jury records tied to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former partner who is now serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
In that case, the only witnesses were two law enforcement officers, raising doubts about whether the transcripts contained meaningful new information.
Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial. He left behind a legacy of abuse, secrecy, and powerful connections.
Calls for full disclosure of Epstein’s files have grown louder, especially among political groups demanding the release of what they believe could be explosive documents.
The government insists it has no “client list” but acknowledges it holds hundreds of thousands of pages tied to its investigations.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee has said it will review documents obtained through a subpoena and release them once sensitive information is redacted. For now, though, the grand jury transcripts will remain sealed.
