Judge declines to appoint special master to oversee DOJ's release of remaining Epstein files [View all]
Source: ABC News
January 21, 2026, 10:37 AM
A federal judge in New York on Wednesday declined to appoint a special master to oversee the Justice Department's production of the remaining Epstein files, despite "legitimate concerns" about whether the DOJ is faithfully complying with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Dec. 19 deadline the law imposed for the release of all files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has come and gone, and at least two members of Congress say the Justice Department is still in possession of as many as two million potentially relevant documents.
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York said last week they're still reviewing and redacting material from the investigations into Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell to comply with court orders about protecting victims. Several Epstein victims wrote letters supporting legislators' push for a neutral monitor.
In his opinion released Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer said the "questions raised by the Representatives and the victims are undeniably important and timely" and raise "raise legitimate concerns about whether DOJ is faithfully complying with federal law." However, the judge concluded he lacks jurisdiction to supervise the Justice Department's compliance with the Epstein Act.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-declines-appoint-special-master-oversee-dojs-release/story?id=129419478
Link to ORDER (PDF) - https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/Maxwell%2020cr330%20-%20Opinion%20%26%20Order%201.21.26.pdf
Obama judge. Apparently thinks he has no jurisdiction over this.
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