DOJ Asks Judge To Unseal Grand Jury Records From Epstein, Maxwell Cases

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking authorization from two judges in the Southern District of New York to release grand jury transcripts and exhibits related to the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. This request comes as the DOJ faces a 30-day deadline to release the Epstein files, mandated by the recently signed Epstein Files Transparency Act.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate prominent Democrats linked to Epstein, signed the motion. The motion asks the judges to approve the release of the grand jury materials, with necessary redactions. The DOJ emphasized that the release should comply with the Act's requirements, allowing redactions to protect ongoing investigations or prosecutions.

The DOJ's request follows an unsuccessful attempt in August to unseal the grand jury records. At that time, both judges ruled that the government did not provide a legal basis for the release. U.S. District Judge Richard Berman criticized the DOJ for involving the court, stating that the government already possessed the relevant files. He suggested that the government's complete information trove would better inform the public about the Epstein case.

The DOJ is now seeking an expedited ruling on the current motion, pledging to work with relevant U.S. Attorney’s Offices to redact victim-related and personal identifying information.