Documents Pulled Following Privacy Concerns
The U.S. Department of Justice has removed thousands of documents connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation from its website after victims reported that their identities were exposed.
The documents were part of a large release made public on Friday. Victims and their attorneys said redaction errors revealed sensitive personal information.
What Was Exposed in the Release
According to attorneys representing victims, the released files included email addresses and explicit images where names or faces could be identified.
Nearly 100 survivors were affected, according to statements submitted to a federal court. Victims said the disclosures caused serious harm and distress.
DOJ Response and Ongoing Review
The Justice Department said all flagged documents were taken down after the issue was identified.
In a letter filed with a federal judge, the department said the errors were due to technical or human mistakes and that affected documents were removed for further redaction. Officials said they are continuing to review additional requests and independently checking for other documents that may require corrections.
Legal Action Requested by Victims’ Attorneys
On Friday, attorneys representing Epstein’s victims asked a federal judge in New York to order the removal of the website hosting the files.
The attorneys described the release as an unprecedented violation of victim privacy and said immediate judicial intervention was necessary due to repeated failures to properly redact identifying information.
Victims Describe Impact
Several victims submitted statements describing the consequences of the disclosures.
One survivor said the release was life-threatening, while another reported receiving death threats after private financial information appeared in the files. Other victims said the exposure made it difficult to focus on new information revealed in the documents.
Redaction Requirements and Congressional Mandate
The release was required after Congress approved a measure compelling the Justice Department to make Epstein-related records public.
Under the law, the department was required to remove any details that could identify victims. The Justice Department said it has redacted thousands of names across millions of pages and that approximately 0.1 percent of pages were found to contain identifying information.
Scope of Epstein Records Released
The Justice Department has released millions of Epstein-related records since the law took effect last year.
The most recent release included about three million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos. The release followed a missed deadline established under a law signed by President Donald Trump.
Background on the Case
Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The release of records has been closely watched by victims, lawmakers, and the public, with ongoing disputes over transparency and privacy protections.
Related Coverage
Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
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Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
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