Federal Judge Orders DOJ to Release Unredacted Epstein Files by 2 July
A US federal judge has ordered the DOJ to release additional unredacted Epstein records or explain by 2 July why it cannot. The DOJ says it will appeal.
Federal judge sets 2 July deadline for DOJ over Epstein file redactions
A federal judge in Washington D.C. has ordered the U.S. Department of Justice to hand over additional unredacted Jeffrey Epstein records — or provide a formal explanation by 2 July as to why that is not possible, Google News MT reports.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued the ruling on Thursday, granting a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by media legal analyst Katie Phang. Phang alleges the DOJ failed to comply with last year's Epstein Act, which mandated the release of certain files connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender.
In his written opinion, Sullivan noted that Phang's lawsuit specifically alleges the department redacted the names of senders and recipients in "at least eight email exchanges" involving Epstein. Those exchanges reportedly concerned a "torture video" and alleged sexual activity involving young women, including minors.
The Justice Department responded by stating it intends to appeal the decision. In a filing earlier this month, DOJ lawyers argued that Phang lacked standing to bring the lawsuit, on the grounds that she should have pursued a Freedom of Information Act request instead. Phang's legal team countered that she had already been denied FOIA requests relating to the same Epstein records, CBS News reported.
The ruling could compel the DOJ to make previously withheld material public, or to state on the record the legal basis for keeping it sealed. Sullivan's order places the department under a firm deadline to act before the start of July.
The Epstein files have been the subject of sustained public and legal pressure in the United States, with multiple outlets and individuals pursuing access through the courts and through freedom of information mechanisms.
Source: Google News MT