A group of women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein is sharply criticizing the U.S. Department of Justice over what they describe as a deeply flawed and legally deficient release of records tied to the disgraced financier.
The Justice Department was under a congressional mandate to disclose a large volume of investigative materials by last Friday. While thousands of pages were eventually posted online, officials acknowledged that the release was incomplete and that additional documents remain under review.
Survivors Say Disclosure Was Inadequate and Harmful
In a statement issued Monday, 19 women—two identified only as Jane Does—said the document release failed on multiple levels. They argued that much of what was made public was either heavily censored without explanation or missing entirely.
Even more troubling, the group said, was the exposure of survivor identities in unredacted documents.
“What was released represents only a fraction of the records,” the statement said. “And in some cases, survivor information was left visible, causing immediate and unnecessary harm.”
Entire Sections Allegedly Withheld
According to the women and their attorneys, key categories of records were not included at all. They claim that no financial documents were released and that grand jury materials—approved by a federal judge for disclosure—were fully blacked out across more than 100 pages.
The group says they have been informed that hundreds of thousands of additional pages related to Epstein’s case still have not been made public.
“These omissions are not minor,” the statement said. “They represent clear violations of a law that leaves no room for interpretation.”
Files Temporarily Removed After Complaints
A review by ABC News found that some records initially released with extensive redactions were reposted the following day with portions of the blackouts removed.
Meanwhile, attorneys representing Epstein survivors began alerting federal officials after clients discovered their names or identifying details in public documents.
Lawyers Brittany Henderson and Brad Edwards—who represent more than 200 survivors of Epstein and his convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell—said they worked through the weekend with officials in New York and Washington to address the issue.
In one instance, a sealed civil document listing dozens of alleged victims was posted without any redactions. That file, along with others, was later removed from the Justice Department’s website.
By Sunday, roughly 15 documents had been taken down for review.
DOJ Defends Ongoing Review Process
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department is continuing to evaluate materials and will release additional records as legally permitted.
In public statements, the DOJ said it temporarily removed certain documents after receiving concerns from individuals claiming victim status and their attorneys. Officials said the materials would be reposted with proper redactions if required by law.
Blanche told NBC News that the department must balance transparency with victim protection.
“The law requires us to release records, but it also requires us to safeguard survivors,” Blanche said, adding that anyone who believes they were identified in the files can contact the department for review.
Calls for Congressional Oversight Intensify
The women said the way the records were released made it difficult—if not impossible—for survivors to locate information relevant to their cases. They also said they were not consulted ahead of time about redactions or withheld material.
Calling the situation “alarming,” the group urged United States Congress to intervene and oversee the Justice Department’s compliance with the law.
The disclosure mandate stems from legislation signed in November by Donald Trump, which gave the Justice Department 30 days to make the Epstein-related records public.
As the review process continues, survivors say they remain concerned that accountability, transparency, and victim protection have yet to be properly aligned.
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