New Mexico sues U.S. Justice Department over alleged obstruction in Epstein probe

The U.S. state of New Mexico has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of blocking investigations into alleged sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein on his New Mexico ranch. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, asserts that the Trump administration hindered state authorities from probing potential sex crimes.

New Mexico claims that the DOJ and Blanche have withheld crucial information regarding Epstein and his associates. Witnesses in the trial against Epstein's former girlfriend and associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, had accused the now-deceased Epstein and Maxwell of sexually abusing women at the ranch. Epstein purchased the ranch in Stanley, located about 50 kilometers south of Santa Fe, in 1993 from former Governor Bruce King.

Through this lawsuit, the state seeks to compel the federal government to hand over relevant documents to New Mexico investigators. The state also announced its intention to release a report on the preliminary findings from its ongoing investigation into Epstein and his ranch. "The federal government's inaction not only delays the investigation but also prolongs and exacerbates the suffering of survivors," the state declared in its complaint.

The Department of Justice has not yet commented on the allegations or the lawsuit. Blanche is currently serving as acting Attorney General after Trump dismissed Pam Bondi in April. Blanche, a former private attorney for Trump, faces criticism from Democrats who deem him unfit for the role, arguing he prioritizes Trump's interests over those of U.S. citizens and aids Trump in pursuing political opponents legally.

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The federal government's inaction not only delays the investigation but also prolongs and exacerbates the suffering of survivors.