The FBI says its search for Jeffrey Epstein-related files is “ongoing,” contradicting leaked reports this week that the bureau and Justice Department had closed the investigation into the disgraced financier.
Judicial Watch, a conservative nonprofit organization that frequently files Freedom of Information Act lawsuits and requests, filed a lawsuit against the DOJ in April over the Trump administration’s failure to produce documents related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
According to a new filing by Judicial Watch on Monday, however, the FBI had communicated that, regarding the organization’s request for communication records of FBI Director Kash Patel regarding Epstein, that its “search efforts are ongoing.” The bureau also said it is also still “in the process of reviewing” the organization’s request for any and all Epstein records.
“The Justice Department and FBI are sending out contradictory messages: telling the American people that no more Epstein material will be released, while telling the federal court in our case that the Epstein FOIA review is proceeding,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch on Thursday. “But no matter, our FOIA lawsuit for the Epstein material continues. We will be relentless in demanding transparency under law.”
Epstein’s death has sparked a number of theories, perhaps most notable that the New York financier maintained a “client list” of powerful and influential figures for blackmail purposes. Epstein has had close relationships with President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, British Royal Family member Prince Andrew, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and a slew of entrepreneurs and celebrities, including Bill Gates and Woody Allen.
The DOJ and FBI’s closing of the case this week sparked outrage among Trump’s base, a situation largely of Trump’s own doing, given many of his cabinet picks were frequent propagators of conspiracies surrounding Epstein. The Trump administration has subsequently blocked further inquiries into the matter; the White House shut down questions on Epstein Monday, as did Trump himself on Tuesday.