New Mexico has sued the Department of Justice to obtain unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files, claiming federal officials are blocking a state criminal investigation. The lawsuit filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia asks the court to compel Todd Blanche, who serves as acting justice minister, to release the documents.
The Democratic-governed state reopened its investigation in February to identify visitors and workers at Epstein's Zorro Ranch who may have committed crimes or witnessed offenses. State officials said the inquiry could have international consequences if it identifies people who sexually abused girls and women at the property.
The legal action escalates a dispute over Epstein records that has troubled the administration of President Donald Trump for months. In the lawsuit, state attorneys said federal inaction does not merely hinder the probe, but also prolongs and intensifies the suffering of survivors.
Department of Justice Response
The Department of Justice said it has delivered some files but cannot provide additional material due to privacy protections. A department spokesperson stated that New Mexico lacks a legal basis to justify such sweeping disclosures.
Federal officials argued that under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and past court decisions, the government is neither required nor allowed to release information revealing victim identities.
Investigation Challenges and Agreements
New Mexico Prosecutor Raul Torrez said after five months of investigating that the state has devoted significant resources to the case. He explained that no charges have been brought against anyone because state investigators must view the federal records first.
According to news agency APE, New Mexico authorities claim the Department of Justice breached a 2019 agreement. Under that deal, the state agreed to stop its Epstein investigation and hand over evidence in exchange for continuous information sharing about alleged victims and crimes.
Torrez said in March that the state inquiry faced major hurdles because decades have passed since the crimes occurred. He added that some evidence was lost after the ranch was sold in 2023.
