New Mexico Sues Justice Department Over Epstein Files
Attorney General Raúl Torrez seeks unredacted documents for ongoing Zorro Ranch criminal probe, alleging federal obstruction.
Sarah Connor
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., demands access to critical documents.
New Mexico's criminal probe into alleged crimes at Epstein's former Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County remains ongoing.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez claims the Justice Department obstructs this probe.
The New Mexico Attorney General's office states the Justice Department ignored at least 10 requests for these critical documents.
The State of New Mexico claims the federal government blocked the state's ability to investigate sex crimes at the ranch.
Torrez and his senior prosecutors faced sustained resistance to information-sharing, a stark contrast to past cooperation between state and federal investigators.
The Justice Department insisted that information requests be formal, then rejected them after their submission.
Actively harms victims and undermines the public interest.
The State of New Mexico claims the Justice Department and Blanche stonewalled Torrez’s criminal investigation into Epstein and others, taking steps that “actively harms victims and undermines the public interest.”
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in federal jail in New York City in August 2019.
Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her 2021 conviction on sex trafficking charges.
Witness testimony during a trial in Manhattan alleged Epstein and Maxwell sexually abused women at the New Mexico ranch.
Epstein's estate sold the Zorro Ranch property in 2023 to the family of Don Huffines, who claims his family plans to operate a Christian retreat there.
New Mexico lawmakers also created an investigatory subcommittee with subpoena power regarding allegations at the property.
Complaints quickly arose from accusers and members of Congress about shoddy redactions and too many sealed materials from records that were released.
These records, including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, and court documents, were either already public or heavily blacked out, often lacking necessary context.
The Justice Department did not appear to meet a July 31 deadline for document release.
State of New Mexico indicated that The Justice Department and Blanche were hiding information about Epstein and his co-conspirators, hindering New Mexico's potential to hold associates accountable or provide some sense of justice to survivors.
The State of New Mexico claims the Justice Department and Blanche were hiding information about Epstein and his co-conspirators, hindering New Mexico's potential to hold associates accountable or “provide some sense of justice to survivors.”