Judge mandates the disclosure of Epstein grand jury transcripts

A federal judge has mandated the publication of grand jury transcripts from the long-abandoned investigation into Jeffrey Epstein that occurred between 2005 and 2007. The order, issued on December 5, notes that although previous efforts to make these records public were blocked, U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith has now approved their release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted in November.

The legislation requires the Attorney General to disclose all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials held by the Department of Justice concerning Epstein, the financier convicted of sex offenses who died by suicide in 2019.

The Department of Justice has until December 1930 days after the bill was signed by President Donald Trumpto release all relevant information, which is anticipated to exceed the documents already authorized by Judge Smith.

The transcripts concern the Florida case against Epstein from 2005 to 2007, which concluded when then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta offered to end the investigation if Epstein pled guilty to two state charges, served a prison sentence, registered as a sex offender, and established a compensation fund for his victims. The controversial arrangement included a nonprosecution agreement granting immunity not only to Epstein but also to four associates and any potential co-conspirators. The agreement was kept secret from Epsteins victims at the time.

Acosta, who later became Labor Secretary during President Trumps administration, resigned following public criticism of the plea deal after Epstein was charged with sex trafficking in 2019.

Author: Sophia Brooks