New York judge Epstein files

New York (dpa) — A judge in New York has allowed the release of certain documents related to the case of deceased child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including grand jury transcripts and investigative records.

US District Judge Richard M Berman ruled on Wednesday that the materials must be made public by December 19. The documents stem from a 2019 case in a New York court in which Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting and abusing dozens of underage girls over many years at his Manhattan home, in Palm Beach, Florida and elsewhere.

Epstein, a financier who socialized with the rich and powerful, died in his jail cell in 2019 at the age of 66 before the case could go to trial. An autopsy ruled his death a suicide.

The judge’s decision follows a request filed last month by the US government. President Donald Trump had previously signed legislation, under pressure from Congress, mandating the disclosure of documents and investigative records related to the Epstein case.

Judge Berman explicitly cited the new law in justifying his ruling.

Epstein ran a sex-trafficking operation involving numerous young women, including minors, according to prosecutors. He also personally abused victims.

The case first came before the courts nearly two decades ago, when Epstein pleaded guilty to certain charges. Years later, the case was reopened and Epstein was arrested again — the proceedings to which the newly ordered document release relates.

On Tuesday, the same New York court approved a request by the US Justice Department to release files related to Epstein’s long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell.