Judicial Watch Sues DOJ and FBI Over Withheld Epstein Records, Citing Public Demand for Client List Disclosure

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Updated Apr 15, 2025, 01:45 AM

Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alleging noncompliance with multiple FOIA requests regarding Jeffrey Epstein. The requests specifically sought records detailing the identities of Epstein's clients and associates, as well as communications related to the handling of these records. The lawsuit follows the DOJ's failure to respond to four FOIA requests submitted to various components, including the Office of Information Policy and the Criminal Division. Judicial Watch claims the DOJ has withheld critical documents despite public interest in transparency surrounding Epstein's network and activities. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had previously stated that the Epstein files were on her desk, has yet to release the declassified documents despite public pressure. Bondi has also assigned FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate why these documents were withheld, with assurances that victims' identities and grand jury information will remain protected. The lawsuit references a prior document release by the DOJ in February 2025, which was criticized for being heavily redacted and failing to provide significant new insights. Judicial Watch is seeking a federal court order to compel the DOJ to release all non-exempt records and provide a detailed explanation for any withheld materials. The case also highlights a whistleblower's claim that the Southern District of New York (SDNY) withheld thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents. Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, remains a focal point of public interest in uncovering the extent of his network.

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