Written by STEPHEN GROVES
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress will have the opportunity to review unredacted files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, starting on Monday, as per a letter sent to lawmakers.
The letter obtained by The Associated Press states that lawmakers will be granted access to unredacted versions of over 3 million files released by the Justice Department to comply with a law passed by Congress last year.
Lawmakers must provide the Justice Department with 24 hours’ notice to access the files, which will be available for review on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers, not their staff, will have access to the files. They will be allowed to take notes but not make electronic copies.
The arrangement, initially reported by NBC News, highlights the ongoing demand for information on Epstein and his crimes by lawmakers. The Justice Department has faced criticism for delays in releasing information, failure to redact victims’ personal information and photos, and not disclosing the entirety of the 6 million documents collected in connection to Epstein.
Despite these challenges, lawmakers involved in the transparency efforts view the Justice Department’s concession as a victory.
Rep. Ro Khanna, sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, celebrated the Justice Department’s decision on social media, stating, “When Congress pushes back, Congress can prevail.”
Khanna highlighted certain emails between Epstein and individuals with redacted information that appeared to involve the sexual abuse of underage girls. The release of the case files has sparked investigations globally into individuals associated with the wealthy financier. Lawmakers are now focused on holding accountable anyone who may have had knowledge of Epstein’s abuse or assisted in its facilitation.
Epstein, who faced charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls, died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. The case emerged over a decade after he struck a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to resolve similar allegations. Epstein was accused of paying underage girls for massages and then molesting them.
