A photo of Jeffrey Epstein released by the Justice Department shows him during a past investigation. The Guardian
New records released Friday reveal troubling details about Jeffrey Epstein. The documents come from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States Department of Justice made the release public. Many pages contain heavy redactions. Still, several details remain clear and disturbing.
Interview notes draw attention
One key file stands out among the records. The document includes handwritten notes from a 2019 interview. Investigators spoke with a witness on May 2, 2019. Officials removed the witness’s name. Some sections also remain blacked out.
The notes describe how Epstein directed others to find girls. The witness described pressure to recruit more victims. The notes refer to Epstein as “JE.”
Recruitment details emerge
The notes describe a rush to find girls. One line reads, “Running out of girls.” The witness mentioned friends recruiting friends. The notes describe a “Big Brazilian group.”
The witness described Epstein rejecting certain girls. One passage states, “JE didn’t want Spanish or dark girl.” Another line adds, “yea but not dark.” The notes suggest Epstein focused on age and race.
The witness said Epstein paid the girl involved. The witness did not know if he paid the recruiter.
Scenes described in notes
The notes describe activity inside a bathroom. They mention “boobs and vaginas near bathtub.” They say Epstein entered a shower. The witness wrote that Epstein complained about the girls brought to him. The notes say he told the recruiter to “keep looking for girls.”
One passage says Epstein asked a girl for identification. The notes state, “wanted make sure under 18.” The witness suggested recruiters had brought older girls before. Epstein did not believe their ages.
Photos and locations listed
The file includes photographs of girls. The notes describe ages between 14 and 17. Some photos show girls in bikinis. Others show them around town.
The notes reference locations in New York. These include a Manhattan apartment. They also mention Rochester and Brighton Beach. A high school prom also appears in the notes.
Links to known cases
The notes match known details about Epstein’s crimes. Epstein had known ties to Brazil. One victim, Marina Lacerda, later spoke publicly. She described abuse starting at age 14. Her testimony led to Epstein’s indictment.
She also said she saw Donald Trump with Epstein. Trump denied knowing about Epstein’s crimes.
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019.
Other figures named
The files also mention Jean-Luc Brunel. He worked closely with Epstein. Brunel ran a modelling agency. Authorities accused him of supplying girls to Epstein.
French officials arrested Brunel in 2022. He faced accusations of trafficking minors. Brunel later died in a Paris prison.
The documents also reference Ghislaine Maxwell. Authorities convicted her for helping Epstein abuse minors.
Public reaction grows
Lawmakers criticized the release. Many said officials withheld too much information. Victims’ advocates called for full disclosure. Pressure continues for transparency.
