Judge Rejects DOJ Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts

A federal judge in Manhattan has blocked the Justice Department’s attempt to unseal Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 grand jury records, blasting the effort as a “diversion” from the agency’s own refusal to release far more significant files.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, appointed by Bill Clinton, issued a 14-page ruling Wednesday rejecting the DOJ’s motion. He wrote that “the information contained in the Epstein grand jury transcripts pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials in the hands of the Department of Justice.”

Berman stressed that the DOJ itself is “the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein file,” yet instead sought to open transcripts that add little substance.

No Victim Testimony, Only Hearsay

The judge revealed that no Epstein victims testified before the grand jury. The only witness was an FBI agent who “had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay.” The presentation also included “a PowerPoint slideshow” and “a call log,” both of which remain sealed.

“The instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession,” Berman concluded.

Growing Frustration With DOJ

This ruling marks yet another blow for the DOJ, which already faced a firestorm in July when it announced it would not release any further Epstein records. That move outraged victims, online activists, and many of President Donald Trump’s supporters, especially after the department flatly declared that a rumored “client list” did not exist.

In response to public outcry, President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to push for the release of grand jury records. But federal judges have consistently ruled against the DOJ’s motions.

Earlier this month, Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected a similar request in the Ghislaine Maxwell case, stating: “the Government’s motion for their unsealing was aimed not at ‘transparency’ but at diversion — aimed not at full disclosure but at the illusion of such.” Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence.

Judge Robin Rosenberg in Florida likewise denied efforts to unseal Epstein’s 2008 plea deal records — a notorious arrangement that let him serve just 13 months, much of it on work release.

Larger Files Withheld

Berman emphasized that the DOJ holds extensive unreleased evidence that “would better inform the public about the Epstein case,” while the grand jury materials were nothing more than “a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct.”

The judge also faulted the DOJ for failing to notify Epstein’s victims about the unsealing effort, warning that even limited disclosures could compromise privacy.

Epstein’s Death and Ongoing FOIA Battle

Epstein, 66, was arrested in July 2019 on sex-trafficking charges and found dead in his Manhattan jail cell a month later. Officially ruled a suicide, his death — and the DOJ’s secrecy — has only fueled speculation about which powerful individuals may have been involved.

The DOJ has refused to comment on Berman’s ruling.

Meanwhile, watchdog group Judicial Watch is pressing its lawsuit against the DOJ and FBI after both agencies “failed to adequately respond to three separate FOIA request[s].” Judicial Watch is seeking Epstein-related documents, including any records “depicting the identities of clients or associates of Epstein.”

The DOJ has admitted in a court filing that it is still reviewing Epstein-related documents in response to Judicial Watch’s case.