Epstein files expected to start reaching lawmakers this week
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A banner of Jeffrey Epstein and US President Donald Trump hanging in Grand Park during a protest in downtown Los Angeles on Aug 2.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – The Justice Department (DOJ) will begin providing members of Congress with files related to the sex-trafficking operation run by the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein this week, according to a House Republican leader.
The action comes in response to a subpoena demanding the “full, complete, un-redacted Epstein files” sent earlier in August by House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer. The subpoena ordered the department to turn over the materials by Aug 19.
“There are many records in DOJ’s custody, and it will take the department time to produce all the records and ensure that the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted,” Mr Comer said in a statement on Aug 18.
The arrangement between Mr Comer and the department indicates that negotiations will continue for weeks or months over what documents will be shared with lawmakers and when they will be provided.
It is not clear if and when any of the files will be made public.
The Justice Department declined to comment.
The battle over releasing information about Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation has been plaguing US President Donald Trump, his top aides like Attorney-General Pam Bondi and congressional Republican leaders.
Mr Trump has continued to be pressed about his previous relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 as he faced sex-trafficking charges.
The saga has abated somewhat, but will likely will flare up again when lawmakers return to Washington from their summer recess in September.
Meanwhile, the oversight committee began private depositions on Aug 18 with key individuals involved in matters related to Epstein.
The first meeting took place with former attorney-general Bill Barr, who served during Mr Trump’s first term in office.
Mr Barr was cooperative and answered questions from both Republican and Democratic staff and members, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Mr Barr told the panel he never saw any evidence suggesting Mr Trump committed a crime, and Mr Trump never provided any instructions related to the criminal case against Epstein or the investigation into his death, the person said. BLOOMBERG
