DOJ Allegedly Withheld Key Epstein Survivor Records, Claims Congressman
Allegations of Record Withholding by DOJ
Representative Robert Garcia stated on Tuesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) may have unlawfully withheld FBI interview records related to a survivor of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This survivor has also accused former President Donald Trump of serious offenses. Garcia's comments come in light of reports indicating that the DOJ's database, which includes millions of Epstein-related documents mandated for release by Congress, is missing these crucial FBI files.
Garcia, who serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, mentioned, "For several weeks, Oversight Democrats have been probing the FBI's response to allegations made in 2019 regarding sexual assault on a minor by President Trump, as reported by a survivor." He further stated, "Yesterday, I examined unredacted evidence logs at the DOJ. Oversight Democrats can confirm that the DOJ seems to have illegally withheld FBI interviews with this survivor who accused President Trump of serious crimes." He announced plans for a parallel investigation into the matter.
Garcia emphasized that, due to a subpoena issued by the Oversight Committee and the Epstein Files Transparency Act, these records must be promptly released to both Congress and the public. He remarked, "Concealing direct evidence of a potential assault by the President of the United States constitutes the gravest possible crime in this White House cover-up."
Overview of Jeffrey Epstein's Legal Troubles
Timeline of Jeffrey Epstein’s Criminal Cases
The legal issues surrounding Jeffrey Epstein began in 2005 when authorities in Palm Beach, Florida, initiated an investigation following allegations of sexual abuse made by the parents of a 14-year-old girl. By July 2006, the FBI had commenced a federal investigation, uncovering at least 36 underage victims. A year later, federal prosecutors prepared a comprehensive 60-count indictment against Epstein.
However, in September 2007, Alexander Acosta, then the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, approved a contentious non-prosecution agreement that protected Epstein and several co-conspirators from federal charges. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution-related offenses under a sealed agreement, receiving an 18-month sentence in county jail, but was granted extensive work-release privileges, allowing him to leave custody for up to 12 hours daily. He was released in 2009 after serving less than 13 months and was mandated to register as a sex offender.
Over the next decade, numerous women publicly accused Epstein of sexual exploitation and trafficking. In November 2018, renewed media coverage by the Miami Herald brought the case back into the spotlight. In July 2019, federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking, asserting that they were not bound by the previous plea deal.
On August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial in a federal detention center in New York, Epstein was found dead in his cell, with authorities ruling his death a suicide by hanging. The investigation continued, leading to charges against his long-time associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was arrested in July 2020 and later convicted in December 2021 on charges including sex trafficking and conspiracy. In 2022, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison.