US Justice Department Releases Millions of Epstein Files
On January 30, 2026, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) made public more than three million pages of material connected to Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The disclosure followed the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law in November 2025, which required the release of unclassified records within 30 days.
Authorities initially identified around six million pages of evidence. So far, approximately 3.5 million pages have been released. The documents include emails, text messages, internal investigative reports, financial records, flight logs, bank transfers, FBI interview summaries, and other case-related material. The volume of records places the Epstein disclosure among the largest document releases in recent US legal history.
The DOJ has organised the material into 12 separate data sets, making it somewhat easier for journalists, researchers and the public to navigate.
What Is Inside the Epstein Files?
Data Sets 1 through 8 mainly consist of FBI interview summaries and police reports from Palm Beach, Florida, covering investigations between 2005 and 2008. These records detail witness statements and early law enforcement findings.
Data Set 9 includes email communications. Among them are exchanges between Epstein and well-known public figures, as well as internal DOJ discussions regarding the controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement that granted Epstein and certain associates broad federal immunity.
Data Set 10 contains roughly 180,000 images and 2,000 videos seized from Epstein’s properties. Much of this material has been heavily redacted to protect victims’ identities. However, critics argue that the redactions have sparked fresh debate about transparency and accountability.
Data Set 11 focuses on financial documents, including ledgers, property records and flight manifests to Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands. Data Set 12 includes supplemental documents that require additional legal review.
Who Was Jeffrey Epstein?
Jeffrey Epstein was born on January 20, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Despite lacking a completed university degree, he secured a teaching position in mathematics and physics at Manhattan’s Dalton School at the age of 21. Through connections made there, he entered the finance world and later worked at Bear Stearns before leaving the firm.
Epstein eventually established his own financial management company, catering to ultra-wealthy clients. Over time, he built relationships with influential figures in politics, business, academia and royalty, enhancing his social standing and financial reach.
In 1991, Epstein met Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of British media magnate Robert Maxwell. Their relationship evolved into both a personal and criminal partnership.
Timeline of the Criminal Cases
In 2005, police in Palm Beach began investigating Epstein after allegations surfaced involving a 14-year-old girl. By 2006, the FBI had identified dozens of potential underage victims.
Federal prosecutors prepared a wide-ranging indictment in 2007. However, a controversial non-prosecution agreement signed later that year allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to two state-level charges related to prostitution and served 13 months in a county facility, benefiting from work-release privileges. He was released in 2009 and required to register as a sex offender.
Public attention intensified again in 2018 following investigative reporting that re-examined the earlier plea deal. In July 2019, federal prosecutors in New York arrested Epstein on sex trafficking charges. On August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial, he was found dead in his jail cell. Authorities ruled his death a suicide.
Ghislaine Maxwell was later charged in 2020 for her role in recruiting underage girls. She was convicted in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022.
Why the Latest Release Matters
The ongoing release of Epstein-related documents continues to raise questions about accountability, institutional failures and the extent of his global network. As more records become accessible, journalists and investigators are working through the data to uncover further insights into one of the most high-profile criminal cases of recent decades.
For readers following the story, understanding the structure and scope of the released files is essential to making sense of the continuing developments.
