New Mexico sues U.S. Justice Department over blocked Epstein investigation

New Mexico has taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Todd Blanche, alleging that federal authorities have obstructed the state's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, filed in a Washington D.C. federal court, asserts that the Justice Department and Blanche have actively hindered New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez's efforts to investigate Epstein and his associates.

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Torrez and his staff «have met persistent resistance» against the type of information sharing that previously took place between state and federal investigators.

Epstein owned a ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, which became a focal point of the state's investigation. According to testimonies from the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, several abuses allegedly took place at the ranch. The lawsuit demands that the court order the federal government to provide New Mexico investigators with relevant materials. Simultaneously, the state plans to release a report detailing preliminary findings from its ongoing probe into Epstein and his property.

Torrez and his team claim they have encountered persistent resistance in sharing information that had previously been standard practice between state and federal investigators. The Justice Department, however, stated that it is withholding certain information requested by the state. Their justification is that federal court decisions prohibit the disclosure of information that could identify victims, and that New Mexico has not provided a sufficient legal basis for such disclosures. The department maintains that victim privacy is paramount but affirms its readiness to assist New Mexico's investigation within legal boundaries.

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The Justice Department emphasizes that victims' privacy remains the highest priority, but that they «remain available to assist New Mexico's investigation in accordance with the law and binding court decisions».

New Mexico contends that the Justice Department and Blanche are deliberately concealing information about Epstein and his accomplices. Torrez stated that his office has made ten separate requests for information, all of which have either been ignored or rejected. He criticized the Justice Department's stance, saying, "Todd Blanche could with one stroke of a pen give us the access he claimed we would get today. Instead, they have chosen to delay, obstruct, and frankly hide, whatever the reason."

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Todd Blanche could with one stroke of a pen give us the access he claimed we would get today. Instead, they have chosen to delay, obstruct, and frankly hide, whatever the reason.