The US Department of Justice has made public an unprecedented volume of material connected to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the most extensive government disclosure on the case since a transparency law took effect last year.
On Friday, authorities released around three million pages of documents, along with roughly 180,000 photographs and 2,000 videos, reports BBC
The release came six weeks after the department missed a legal deadline signed into law by President Donald Trump that mandated all Epstein-related documents be shared with the public.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the publication concludes an exhaustive review process, saying, “Today’s release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance.”
The materials cover a wide range of issues, including Epstein’s time in custody, a psychological evaluation, and records related to his death in prison.
They also contain investigative files on Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who was later convicted of assisting in the trafficking of underage girls. In addition, the trove includes correspondence between Epstein and a number of prominent figures.
Emails referencing Britain’s elite
Among the documents are emails highlighting Epstein’s connections with influential figures in the UK. One exchange involves a person referred to as “The Duke”, widely believed to be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, discussing a potential dinner at Buckingham Palace, described as a venue with “lots of privacy”.
Another message shows Epstein offering to introduce “The Duke” to a 26-year-old woman from Russia. These emails, signed “A” with a signature appearing to read “HRH Duke of York KG”, date back to August 2010, two years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor.
The correspondence does not allege or demonstrate any illegal activity. The BBC has approached Andrew, formerly the Duke of York, for comment. He has long been scrutinised over his association with Epstein but has consistently denied any misconduct.
Financial links to Mandelson’s family
Separate emails indicate that Epstein transferred £10,000 ($13,692) in 2009 to Reinaldo Avila da Silva, the husband of Lord Peter Mandelson. In one message, da Silva outlines the cost of an osteopathy course, shares his bank information, and thanks Epstein for any assistance. Epstein replies shortly afterwards confirming he would send the money, with da Silva expressing gratitude the next day.
Other emails show Lord Mandelson requesting accommodation at one of Epstein’s properties. These exchanges are dated 16 June 2009, a period when Epstein was serving a sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor. At that time, he was permitted to work from his office during the day and return to jail at night.
Lord Mandelson, appointed UK ambassador to the US in December 2024, was dismissed less than a year later after it emerged he had sent supportive messages to Epstein following the conviction. Mandelson has since said he deeply regrets the relationship, insisting he never witnessed any criminal behaviour and had been misled by Epstein.
Trump referenced repeatedly
President Donald Trump appears hundreds of times across the newly released records. Trump has acknowledged a past relationship with Epstein but maintains that it ended years ago and that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Included in the release is an FBI compilation from last year summarising allegations made via calls to its Threat Operation Center tip line. Many of these entries are based on unverified claims submitted without supporting evidence. The list contains numerous accusations of sexual misconduct involving Trump, Epstein, and other well-known figures.
Trump has repeatedly rejected any connection to Epstein’s crimes and has not been charged or accused by Epstein’s victims.
Responding to questions about the new material, the White House and the Justice Department referred to an official statement accompanying the release: “Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the department said, adding, “To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already.”
Gates rejects allegations as false
A representative for Microsoft founder Bill Gates has dismissed claims appearing in the documents as baseless. Two emails dated July 18, 2013, apparently drafted by Epstein, contain allegations about Gates, including a claim that he contracted a sexually transmitted disease.
It is unclear whether these emails were ever sent, as both originated from Epstein’s account and were addressed back to the same account, with no visible recipient linked to Gates.
One email is framed as a resignation letter from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and references obtaining medication for Gates “in order to deal with the consequences of sex with Russian girls”.
The second email, beginning with “dear Bill”, accuses Gates of ending a friendship and attempting to conceal an infection, even from his then wife Melinda.
Gates’ spokesperson told the BBC: “These claims – from a proven, disgruntled liar – are absolutely absurd and completely false.”
The spokesperson added: “The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”
Is this the final release?
Whether more Epstein-related documents will emerge remains unclear. Blanche suggested the Justice Department considers its work complete, saying the latest disclosure ends its review process.
However, Democratic lawmakers argue that a significant number of records, possibly around 2.5 million pages have not been released without sufficient explanation.
Congressman Roh Khanna, who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Republican Thomas Massie, voiced concern, “The DOJ said it identified over 6 million potentially responsive pages but is releasing only about 3.5 million after review and redactions.”
He added, “This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld. I will be reviewing closely to see if they release what I’ve been pushing for.”
The Justice Department faced intense criticism after missing the 19 December deadline set by the law, which was passed by Congress and signed in November.
Many of the newly released documents contain extensive redactions. Under the legislation, information may only be redacted to protect victims or ongoing investigations, and authorities must provide a summary explaining the legal basis for each redaction.
Blanche said the redactions were necessary to safeguard victims, noting that hundreds of staff worked for over two months to process the files swiftly. Still, doubts persist over whether the disclosures will quell suspicions.
For years, many, including some of Trump’s supporters have believed that powerful individuals linked to Epstein were shielded from accountability.
Blanche acknowledged that the documents are unlikely to satisfy those seeking definitive answers, explaining that the files do not name specific men who abused women. He said that if such names existed, prosecutions would follow.
