A few hours remain for all the files on the Epstein case, which are in the possession of the US Department of Justice, voted by the US Congress. The relevant deadline of one month expires tomorrow Friday, but it is not at all certain that all the documents of the much-lauded case, which could belong to Jeffrey Epstein, will come to light. Convicted of sex crimes and child trafficking, Epstein died in his cell in 2019, taking with him to the other world secrets about presidents, princes and tycoons.
Speculations about pink photos and videos remain speculations. It is rather unlikely, even if such evidence exists somewhere, that it will now come to light. But old witness statements may be uncovered, which were subsequently “buried” by settlements between the victims and the businessman, who is said to have extorted and paid handsomely to ensure their silence.
What documents are disclosed
The law that President Trump was forced to sign on Nov. 19 — in a U-turn amid popular outcry — set a strict timeline for Attorney General Pam Boddy to review and declassify all material from the Epstein investigation: testimony from him and others involved in prosecutorial investigations, as well as any agreements or arrangements to provide immunity to his associates or to other persons who knew or were involved in the trafficking network. In the intervening time, federal judges in New York and Florida have ordered the records of related cases to be unsealed under the law.
More than 100,000 documents, as well as photographs taken at Epstein’s mansions, are expected to be made public. The documents come from both court cases and a separate congressional investigation in recent months. No record shall remain sealed or censored piecemeal, invoking political sensitivity against any government official, public figure or foreign official, the law says.
The “loopholes” of the law
However, the same law leaves some “loopholes” so that some documents remain confidential, under conditions. The Justice Secretary can withhold documents or redact portions of them if they “could jeopardize an ongoing federal investigation, provided that such withholding is extremely limited and temporary.” Also, the Minister of Justice could not release to the public photos that show death or abuse, as well as any information that would lead to the identification of the victims and expose them to danger. In any case, a written justification is required for any retention of classified information, which will be entered in a special file and submitted to Congress within 15 days.
The Gillian Maxwell Factor
American analysts consider it possible that these “loopholes” are related to a “negotiation” between officials of the Department of Justice and Gillian Maxwell, Epstein’s friend, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for complicity in the trafficking of minors. Maxwell’s lawyers say their client plans to appeal her detention and ask for a new trial, so releasing the evidence would prejudice her and violate her right to a fair trial. According to reports, Maxwell has already succeeded in improving the detention conditions, but threatens to keep her mouth shut any longer. It remains unknown whether Gillian Maxwell holds in her hands Epstein’s agendas, photographic or other material, beyond the unremarkable photos of politicians and businessmen, which have come to light to date.
Trump’s counterattack
Trump’s political opponents accuse the president of trying to cover up his own relationship with Epstein. Donald Trump denies any involvement in Epstein’s crimes and insists he cut ties with him years ago when he realized he was a “bastard”. The US president threatened last November that he would ask the Justice Department to investigate the relations of Bill Clinton and other Democratic Party politicians with Epstein. Trump maintains that he has nothing to hide himself, unlike his opponents who have many skeletons in their closets.
