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🇺🇸 United States /Crime & Justice

Blanche holds meeting with Epstein accusers after Tillis' request

From CBS News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with accusers of Jeffrey Epstein following a request from Sen. Thom Tillis.
  • Some accusers expressed increased confidence in urging senators to vote against Blanche's confirmation, citing his demeanor during the meeting.
  • The meeting aimed to gather information for ongoing investigations into Epstein's crimes and associates.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, following a request from Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Tillis' support is considered crucial for advancing Blanche's nomination to lead the Justice Department.

he encouraged the accusers to come to the FBI with any information that could help investigators.

— Todd BlancheActing Attorney General Todd Blanche after meeting with Epstein accusers.

The meeting, held at Justice Department headquarters in Washington, lasted about an hour. Blanche encouraged the accusers to provide any information that could aid investigators. A Justice Department spokesperson described the meeting as "productive," noting the attendance of senior officials, FBI special agents, and victim services representatives. The spokesperson stated that Blanche "answered questions and walked through what is needed for investigations to proceed."

However, some accusers emerged from the meeting with diminished confidence in Blanche's suitability for the Attorney General role. Annie Farmer, an Epstein accuser, stated she felt "even more confident in urging senators to vote against his confirmation." Farmer described Blanche as "abrasive, condescending, and intentionally noncommittal to survivors," a stark contrast to his testimony at his confirmation hearing.

I feel even more confident in urging senators to vote against his confirmation as the United States' Attorney General.

— Annie FarmerEpstein accuser Annie Farmer after her meeting with Todd Blanche.

Dani Bensky, whose personal information was mistakenly released in federal investigation documents, also participated in the meeting. Bensky characterized the meeting as a "check-the-box' exercise" and accused Blanche of being evasive and unable to commit to actions that would restore trust. She believes Blanche is unqualified, citing his inadequate handling of the release of survivor information and his lack of a credible plan for accountability beyond Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Blanche treated the meeting 'as a mere 'check-the-box' exercise intended to secure votes for his confirmation.'

— Dani BenskyEpstein accuser Dani Bensky on her meeting with Todd Blanche.
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Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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