Justice Department blocks New Mexico’s request for unredacted Epstein files
New Mexico said it got only 31 pages, many already public, after waiting about 130 days for unredacted Epstein records tied to its reopened criminal probe.
Federal law, court orders and victim-and-witness privacy protections barred New Mexico on Wednesday from turning over unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files, escalating a clash with state investigators who say the material is essential to a reopened criminal probe. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez said the state had waited about 130 days after its February request, and that the files were needed to identify survivors, witnesses, co-conspirators and others connected to Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch south of Santa Fe. The Justice Department responded in June and welcomed the state investigation.
New Mexico called the federal reply inadequate. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the state delivered 31 pages on July 10, many already public, heavily redacted or reduced to local news clippings. Torrez said New Mexico had made six attempts since February 13 to get records or meetings, and he pressed for complete, unredacted files by July 31. State officials argued prosecutors routinely seek changes to protective orders when criminal investigators need records.
The New Mexico Legislature’s Epstein Truth Commission, chaired by state Rep. Andrea Romero, issued subpoenas on June 18 to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in southern Florida, South Carolina, the eastern and western districts of Michigan, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The panel issued about 23 total and planned an interim report by the end of July. President Donald Trump has said the country should move on.
The state’s criminal inquiry has centered on Zorro Ranch, which Epstein bought in 1993 from former Gov. Bruce King. Authorities searched the property in March after reopening the case, following the release of previously sealed FBI files. The ranch includes a 26,700-square-foot mansion, a private airstrip, hangar, helipad, firehouse and seven-bay heated garage, and it was sold in 2023 after being listed in 2021 for $27.5 million and later cut to $18 million. At least two women have alleged sexual misconduct at the ranch.
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