Jeffrey Epstein files: Judge orders DOJ to release unredacted documents including ‘torture video’ email or justify redactions | Today’s news
A US federal judge has ordered the Justice Department to either release unredacted versions of several files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or explain why the documents cannot be released, the latest legal hurdle for the department to deal with the highly publicized records.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued the order Thursday in a lawsuit accusing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of improperly redacting key documents released under federal law.
The Justice Department must comply by July 2.
Court orders release or explanation
Judge Sullivan ordered the Justice Department to either:
-Release unredacted versions of several Epstein-related documents; or
-Explain why the information must remain redacted.
The decision also requires the department to:
-Release the interview notes underlying several FBI documents summarizing unverified allegations about President Donald Trump, or explain why they cannot be released.
-Create a detailed log identifying every redaction made to the Epstein files released to date, as required by federal law.
Documents at the center of the dispute
The records included in the order include:
-Eight emails in which either the sender or recipient was blacked out.
-Indictment against Epstein with names of potential co-conspirators redacted.
-A 2019 email referencing several alleged co-conspirators, whose names remain withheld.
One of the controversial emails, in which Epstein referred to a “torture video,” drew particular attention after lawmakers questioned why the recipient’s identity was withheld.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche later suggested that the recipient was Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the former CEO of Dubai-based logistics company DP World.
The judge criticizes the Ministry of Justice
The order stems from a lawsuit filed in April by independent journalist and legal commentator Katie Phang, who alleged that the Justice Department’s sweeping redactions violated a federal law requiring public release of Epstein’s files.
In his 48-page opinion, Sullivan wrote that Blanche failed to effectively defend the government’s position.
“Blanche acknowledged Ms. Phang’s merits” by not responding substantively, Sullivan wrote.
The judge also rejected the Justice Department’s argument that Phang should instead pursue the documents through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
“FOIA does not provide an adequate remedy,” Sullivan wrote.
The Justice Department requested a delay
Earlier this month, the Justice Department asked the court to suspend any decision in Phang’s favor for at least seven days while officials consider whether to appeal.
Sullivan denied that request Thursday.
The Ministry of Justice defends the editors
The Justice Department insists that many of its edits are necessary to protect victims’ identities, personal information and legally privileged materials.
The department also said that only about half of the roughly 6 million pages collected during the Epstein investigation will eventually be released, arguing that many of the remaining documents are duplicates or unrelated to Epstein.
Since December, millions of pages of Epstein-related records — including emails, photos and law enforcement documents — have been released under federal law.
But lawmakers, journalists and Epstein survivors continue to question why significant portions of the records remain heavily redacted or unreleased.
Read also | Who is Leon Black? Why did he walk out of the closed-door hearing on the Epstein Files?
