New Mexico Accuses DOJ of Blocking Epstein Ranch Probe for 5 Months
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9
New Mexico Accuses DOJ of Blocking Epstein Ranch Probe for 5 Months
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9
Summary
Raúl Torrez said New Mexico’s criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch is being obstructed because the Justice Department has not provided unredacted records the state says it needs.
February marked Torrez’s first request for the original files, and he said he repeated it five times over the following months without a response from federal officials.
Those records, according to Torrez, include names of survivors, witnesses and possible co-conspirators who could help build a long-delayed state prosecution tied to the ranch south of Santa Fe.
A letter sent last week and released Thursday warned that each day of delay erodes the basis for any New Mexico case, though a DOJ spokeswoman said the department welcomes the state inquiry and stands ready to assist.
The dispute adds a new obstacle to efforts to secure accountability for abuse and trafficking allegations linked to Zorro Ranch, a remote property that drew less scrutiny than other parts of Epstein’s network.