Judge denies US justice department request to reveal Epstein grand jury materials
On Wednesday, a judge in the US denied a request from the Justice Department to unseal grand jury materials related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The US government sought to reveal transcripts from grand juries concerning the former financier who died by suicide in 2019. Grand jury materials are usually kept confidential under US law, with exceptions made in specific circumstances. However, US District Judge Robin Rosenberg ruled that the Justice Department's request did not meet these exceptions.
Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been formally summoned to testify before the House Oversight Committee from prison. The grand juries investigating Epstein were convened in Florida in 2005 and 2007. Grand juries review evidence presented by prosecutors to determine if there is enough "probable cause" to proceed with a trial. These proceedings involve 16 to 23 jurors and are conducted in private sessions held on designated days each week or month to consider various cases. If the jury finds sufficient evidence, an indictment outlining charges is issued against the accused.
In 2007, Epstein avoided federal charges by pleading guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution, resulting in a 13-month prison sentence. Former President Donald Trump requested the release of the grand jury transcripts due to the extensive media coverage of Epstein. The Department of Justice emphasized the public interest in the criminal cases involving Epstein and Maxwell, mentioning the existence of numerous documents related to the investigation, including grand jury testimony.
The judge's ruling marks the initial decision in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to disclose more information about the case in response to demands from some supporters. Trump has faced scrutiny over his association with Epstein, particularly following the administration's change in stance on releasing the "Epstein files." Despite previous promises to unveil the files during his second term, the Justice Department concluded that further disclosure was not warranted. Allegations of friendship between Trump and Epstein have gained attention, with Trump refuting claims and filing a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owner over a published letter attributed to him.
The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena for Ghislaine Maxwell to provide a deposition on August 11 at the Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee. The committee chairman, Republican James Comer, stated that the Department of Justice would assist in facilitating the deposition at the prison.