A federal judge has ordered the Department of Justice to either release more un-redacted files on Jeffrey Epstein or provide an explanation for keeping them sealed.
Clinton-appointed District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued the order after journalist Katie Phang alleged that the DOJ failed to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Redactions challenged included “at least eight email exchanges with Mr. Epstein regarding a ‘torture video’ and sexual activity with young women, including minors.”
“The Attorney General’s arguments are unpersuasive. First, Ms. Phang has identified ‘some concrete consequences of not receiving the information.’ She has identified ‘half a dozen stories she is currently unable to report’ because the Attorney General has not disclosed the information,” the judge wrote, adding, “The Court concludes that Ms. Phang satisfies the second part of the test: she is suffering the type of harm—lack of transparency—that Congress sought to prevent by requiring disclosure of the information and the disclosure of the information that Ms. Phang seeks would help her in her work.”
Earlier this year, the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General announced that it would launch an audit into the department’s compliance with a law dictating the release of Epstein-related materials.
“The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is initiating an audit of DOJ’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Our preliminary objective is to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act,” the OIG said.
The audit will review, as per a press release on the matter:
(1) the DOJ’s “identification, collection, and production of responsive material”
(2) DOJ “guidance and processes for redacting and withholding material consistent with the requirements enumerated in the Act”
(3) the DOJ’s “processes for addressing post-release publication concerns”
