'A community that knew': Epstein ranch neighbors flood truth commission with tips

While the Department of Justice, now under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, is dragging its feet on the Jeffrey Epstein files, an investigation in New Mexico about the activities at Epstein’s property in Santa Fe is moving full steam ahead.

According to a report from NPR, the property known as Zorro Ranch is the subject of two investigations recently started by New Mexico officials.

In February, the New Mexico state House unanimously created what's known as the Truth Commission to investigate systemic issues at the property and potential official complicity in covering up crimes.

The commission is headed by Democratic state Rep. Andrea Romero, who said the investigation will examine why survivors' reports of abuse at the ranch never reached state or federal authorities for prosecution.

"We don't know. That's just it. If that wasn't the case, then what was the case? What happened here?" Romero told NPR's Daniel Montaño. "We know that there are survivors that were on record reporting abuse. Why did their case never make it to the state nor federal government to hold that to account in some way, shape or form?"

The commission is funded by $2 million from settlements New Mexico reached with a bank that conducted business with Epstein.

The report notes the Truth Commission has the authority to subpoena witnesses and compel testimony. It has already received a flood of tips and maintains a list of names, including former ranch employees, possible co-conspirators, and residents of Stanley — the closest town to the property.

"We're a living community of folks that knew people that worked there, that saw this guy parading around town, where he did yoga, where he grocery shopped," Romero elaborated "This is a community that knew about these folks living here."

Republican state Representative Andrea Reeb, also a commission member, confirmed bipartisan commitment to the investigation. "I think everybody wants to know what happened, and everybody, of course, has sympathy for the survivors and the victims that aren't around anymore. But everyone just wants to know the truth," Reeb told NPR.

The commission is scheduled to release its initial report on July 31.