The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has removed thousands of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein from its website after victims expressed concern that their identities had been compromised.
Lawyers representing Epstein's victims stated that flaws in the redaction process had turned upside down the lives of nearly 100 survivors. Sensitive information, including email addresses and nude photos that could identify potential victims, was included in the released files.
Survivors voiced outrage over the disclosure, insisting they should not be named, scrutinized and retraumatized. The DOJ acknowledged the complaints, stating that all flagged files had been removed and attributing the mistakes to technical or human error.
In a letter to a federal judge, the DOJ confirmed that it had removed all documents requested by victims for further redaction and is examining additional requests to ensure no further sensitive information remains publicly accessible.
Critics, including representation for the victims, characterized the release as the most significant violation of victim privacy in US history, prompting immediate judicial intervention. Many of Epstein's victims reiterated their dissatisfaction, claiming the DOJ had violated agreements regarding the handling of their information.
As the scandal unfolds, the DOJ maintains that it takes victim protection seriously and has redacted thousands of names in the released documents. They continue to work on rectifying the issues and acknowledged that a small percentage of the released pages still contained unredacted information.
Epstein, a disgraced financier, was awaiting trial on multiple sex trafficking charges when he died in a New York prison cell in August 2019. The release of documents relating to his case has been mandated after a bipartisan Congressional measure compelled the DOJ to make the information available, leading to ongoing scrutiny and demands for accountability.
