Epstein files release draws criticism over transparency as DOJ releases trove

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice released about 600,000 pages of largely unseen photographs and documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, a move the department said aimed to comply with a court order and improve transparency. The trove, assembled over years of investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking network, includes material related to Epstein's associates as well as his own activities. Critics, including several Epstein accusers, argued the release falls short of full transparency because of broad redactions and gaps, and because the collection is not exhaustive.

Among the material are images and files from Epstein's Manhattan residence and other locations, many of which are heavily redacted. Dozens of victims spoke out after the release, saying the redactions muffled accountability. Marina Lacerda, who says Epstein began abusing her at age 14, told reporters she wanted more transparency and accused authorities of withholding information. 'Just put out the files, and stop redacting names that don't need to be redacted,' she said. Marijke Chartouni, who says Epstein abused her when she was 20, asked, 'If everything is redacted, where is the transparency?' Lisa Phillips, who has long claimed to be a victim, told The New York Times that authorities appeared to be protecting themselves rather than victims. 'They are protecting themselves, not the victims,' she said, adding that the release could help connect the dots for survivors seeking justice, but the process felt stalled. Annie Farmer said it was a relief that her sister's allegations were proven true in the files released on Friday, but she criticized the overall lack of accessible information. 'What are they protecting? The coverup continues.' Jess Michaels, one of Epstein's earliest known victims, told The Times that the dump 'proves everything we have been saying about corruption and delayed justice.' The release also prompted renewed attention to Maria Farmer, who has long fought for years to have her allegations heard, and who was among those considered vindicated by the documents.

The trove includes material that has long been a point of contention in the case, including a complaint logged with the FBI in 1996 by an unnamed woman who alleged Epstein stole photographs and negatives she had produced of her sisters for a personal art project. The one-page document, which predates Epstein's later investigation, was cited by critics as part of the pattern of alleged predatory behavior that authorities later pursued. Maria Farmer has repeatedly argued for full transparency, while Annie Farmer has emphasized that the broader context remains critical to achieving accountability.

Despite the mixed reception, the release includes references to high-profile figures who appeared in Epstein's orbit, though officials stressed that appearing in the files does not imply wrongdoing by those individuals. The documents also touch on Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in the scheme. The material does not, however, establish new charges against Maxwell or others and has been described by DOJ officials as a step in a continuing process of disclosure.

The Department of Justice acknowledged Friday that the collection was not exhaustive and that additional pictures and documents would be released at a later date. The announcement came as lawmakers and advocates pressed for a full, unredacted release of all Epstein-related materials. One high-profile critic, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, argued on X that the public deserved full disclosure of all files and accused the administration of redacting names to shield the politically connected. 'The whole point was NOT to protect the politically exposed individuals and government officials,' Greene wrote, urging that 'expose them all' be the standard.

Observers noted that more than 13,000 files were released on Friday, encompassing hundreds of thousands of pages and images. Critics said the files were difficult to search and required laborious review to extract relevant information. The release marks another chapter in the long-running saga of Epstein's case, which has drawn attention to how information is released in cases involving powerful figures. The documents provide a behind-the-scenes look at Epstein's alleged activities, but victims and advocates say the release cannot be judged as a complete accounting until thousands of additional pages and images are made public. The DOJ has said any future releases will continue to be guided by privacy protections for individuals involved, while acknowledging that more material remains to be disclosed. The ongoing process, they say, underlines the continuing demand for accountability, even as questions linger about who, if anyone, will face further scrutiny.