New Mexico AG Sues DOJ Over Stonewalling of Epstein Ranch Probe

• New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of stonewalling the state's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's activities at Zorro Ranch.
• The lawsuit claims that the DOJ has broken its promise to cooperate with New Mexico's probe and is hindering the state's investigation into child sexual abuse.
• The case highlights the tension between federal agencies' efforts to protect victim privacy and state authorities' need for access to information in order to conduct effective investigations.

New Mexico has a duty to protect survivors and investigate crimes committed in our state so that perpetrators can be held accountable.

The New Mexico Attorney General's office has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, alleging that federal agencies are stonewalling the state's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's activities at his Zorro Ranch property in Santa Fe. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to compel the DOJ to cooperate with New Mexico's probe and provide access to critical evidence and witnesses. According to Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the state had agreed to stand down on Epstein-related investigations until federal investigators completed their own probe, but now claims that the DOJ has broken its promise and is hindering the state's investigation into child sexual abuse. The lawsuit argues that the DOJ's actions are a betrayal of survivors and the public, citing previous instances where the agency secretly negotiated a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein without consulting victims.

The Justice Department has defended its conduct as consistent with court orders aimed at protecting victim privacy and the bipartisan Epstein Transparency Act. However, New Mexico's Attorney General argues that the DOJ is using these protections as a pretext to block state investigators from accessing critical evidence and witnesses. The case highlights the tension between federal agencies' efforts to protect victim privacy and state authorities' need for access to information in order to conduct effective investigations. In this context, it is worth noting that the Crime Victims' Rights Act requires federal agencies to inform victims of non-prosecution agreements, but the DOJ has been criticized for its handling of such cases.

The lawsuit filed by New Mexico's Attorney General is not just about resolving a dispute between state and federal agencies; it is also about ensuring that justice is served for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. The case underscores the importance of cooperation between state and federal authorities in investigating crimes, particularly those involving child sexual abuse. By highlighting the potential consequences of stonewalling state probes, the lawsuit serves as a reminder to lawyers advising clients on investigations into Epstein's activities that timely access to witnesses, victims, and evidence is crucial for ensuring justice is served.

Lawyers advising clients on investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's activities should be aware of the potential for federal agencies to stonewall state probes, and consider advocating for timely access to witnesses, victims, and evidence to ensure justice is served.

Source: Original reporting via CN