New Mexico attorney general says DOJ is withholding ‘critical’ information related to Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
DOJ Withholding Epstein Files, New Mexico Attorney General Says
New Mexico attorney general says DOJ is – New Mexico attorney general says the Department of Justice is holding back essential documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch property. In a formal letter sent to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on June 30, Raúl Torrez outlined his concerns about the federal government’s handling of case materials. The correspondence was made public on Thursday, highlighting tensions between state and federal authorities over transparency.
Torrez emphasized that delays in releasing records could undermine potential legal proceedings. He noted that witnesses may move away and become harder to reach, while memories tied to past trauma grow weaker over time. Physical evidence and documentary materials also face degradation or loss as time passes, making authentication more challenging for prosecutors building their case.
State Investigation Gains Momentum
New Mexico attorney general says his office has been actively pursuing leads related to the ranch located near Santa Fe. Officials conducted a search of the property in March as part of a broader probe into alleged illegal activities connected to Epstein’s estate. The investigation was reopened in February following the release of millions of previously sealed files, which prompted renewed scrutiny of the site.
The letter detailed six separate attempts by Torrez’s team to communicate with DOJ officials. A formal request dated February 13 was followed by a visit to Washington, D.C., where officials tried to arrange a meeting. Despite receiving verbal assurances that cooperation would follow, Torrez pointed out that 130 days had passed without substantial progress. New Mexico attorney general says this timeline demonstrates an unreasonable delay in addressing state concerns.
Survivor Testimonies and Burial Claims
Two survivors—Chauntae Davies and the late Virginia Giuffre—have previously stated that the Zorro Ranch served as a location where assaults occurred. Additionally, a 2019 email surfaced containing an allegation that “somewhere in the hills outside the Zorro, two foreign girls were buried on orders of Jeffrey and Madam G.” State investigators are currently working to verify this claim through additional evidence and witness accounts.
The New Mexico Survivor’s Truth Commission has played a central role in gathering information. The commission issued subpoenas to banks, U.S. Attorney offices, and the offices of both Torrez and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. These documents aim to uncover financial transactions and communications that may shed light on activities at the ranch.
Redaction Concerns and Viewing Process
Lawmakers have criticized the heavy redactions applied to files released in December 2025. The Department of Justice watchdog is currently reviewing whether the redactions were justified. Representative Jamie Raskin described the viewing process, noting that individuals must visit a DOJ annex, use provided computers and software, and have staffers monitoring their access to documents.
A DOJ spokesperson told CNN that the agency “substantively responded last month to requests from the New Mexico attorney general’s office.” The spokesperson added that the department welcomes the state’s ongoing investigation and remains committed to full cooperation. Congress had previously mandated that the DOJ release Epstein-related files late last year, setting the stage for continued scrutiny.
New Mexico attorney general says the situation requires patience but also urgency. He stressed that every day without complete disclosure weakens the foundation for a potential state-level prosecution. The letter concluded with a request for the DOJ to provide unredacted versions of key documents and to establish a clear timeline for future releases.
“Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records, the foundation upon which a New Mexico prosecution could be built erodes,” Torrez wrote in his letter, underscoring the stakes for state investigators.
Contributors to this report include Hannah Rabinowitz, Michael Williams, MJ Lee, Nicky Robertson, and Holmes Lybrand.
