DOJ release of Epstein files highlights mural, surveillance room and other furnishings at Manhattan townhouse
Thousands of unclassified records released under new Epstein transparency law are being scrutinized by lawmakers and victims’ advocates as images from the New York mansion surface in the documents.
The Justice Department released thousands of documents from the Epstein investigative files on Friday, fulfilling a deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law signed by President Donald Trump last month. The release includes photographs taken by federal agents during the investigation that culminated in Epstein’s arrest at Teterboro Airport on July 6, 2019, on charges related to trafficking of underage girls for sex.
Among the material is a photo from Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse depicting a large, floor-to-ceiling mural tied to a disturbing coming-of-age theme. Investigators described the mural as occupying a prominent wall in one of Epstein’s bedrooms. The image, captured by an FBI photographer, provides a stark glimpse into the décor and environment investigators encountered when they searched the nine-story residence after Epstein’s arrest. The photo is one of more than 1,800 shots taken inside the home over two days of cataloging by agents.
The mural was created in 1995 by Jorge Alvarez, a Cuban-American artist based in Miami. The painting measures roughly 83 inches by 126 inches and was titled Coming of Age Ceremony. It is currently in the possession of Collective Hudson Auction House in Kingston, New York. Collective Hudson held an auction on September 21, 2025, but the painting did not sell; its estimated value was placed between $1,000 and $10,000. The auction note underscores the broader, highly varied trove of Epstein’s possessions that were cataloged during the search and subsequent document release.
Beyond the mural, the photo set reveals how Epstein arranged his living spaces up to the point of his 2019 arrest. Instances of opulent, sometimes provocative art appear throughout the home, including numerous paintings and photographs featuring nude women. Investigators documented a front-door display of Epstein’s initials in gold letters and a wraparound desk outfitted with seven computer monitors near the entryway. A separate room described in a February 2024 lawsuit filed by two Epstein accusers is alleged to have been used to monitor activities inside the mansion. A note found by investigators expressed support for Epstein and referred to the trafficked girls as “runaways.”
The document release comes as lawmakers criticize the Justice Department for what they characterize as redactions and an incomplete public dump. The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the Attorney General to make all unclassified records available in a searchable format within 30 days after the act’s enactment. Critics, including lawmakers who helped draft the law, say the department’s rollout has fallen short. California Democrat Ro Khanna and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, who co-authored the act, have publicly questioned the scope and transparency of the release, signaling possible legal or constitutional remedies if more documents are withheld or redacted improperly.
The documents also include photographs of former President Bill Clinton with Epstein and with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, a release that has intensified scrutiny of how the files are being shared. Clinton has said he severed ties with Epstein long before Epstein’s sex crimes convictions, and the White House has not provided any new public comment on the latest batch of materials. A spokesperson emphasized the Trump administration’s stance on transparency in Epstein-related matters, while also noting political debates over the content and timing of the release.
The DOJ notes that the files include materials from Epstein’s New York mansion as well as other locations tied to his network, and that the government is continuing to review millions of pages in its possession. Critics argue that even with the volume of documents, key records remain redacted or unreleased, limiting victims’ access to full context. Advocates say the public deserves a complete and searchable archive to understand the scope of Epstein’s activities and the network that enabled them. As investigators and lawmakers parse the newly released files, attention remains focused on how future releases will unfold under the act’s requirements and on whether more responsive, comprehensive disclosures will follow.
The image set captured on the day Epstein was arrested—while he was in custody at Teterboro—offers a window into the scale and character of his residence before his first conviction. The Department has stressed that the released material represents only a portion of its broader Epstein file, which the department says contains millions of pages. As the public and victims’ groups pore over the newly released records, questions continue about who else might be implicated in the broader network and how future disclosures may influence ongoing or prospective investigations.