finance
GAO Reviews DOJ Redactions in Epstein Files at Senators' Request
The Government Accountability Office has launched a review of the Justice Department's handling of redactions in Jeffrey Epstein investigative documents, following a bipartisan senators' request. The probe addresses instances where victims' identities were exposed while others were improperly protected. It comes shortly after a separate DOJ inspector general investigation was announced.
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The Government Accountability Office has opened a review into how the Justice Department has handled redactions from investigative documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. A bipartisan group of senators asked the Government Accountability Office to review the DOJ's protocols.
The request followed instances where identities that should not have been redacted under the Epstein Files Transparency Act were protected, while victims' identities that should have been redacted were exposed.
A spokesperson for the Government Accountability Office confirmed the review. The Government Accountability Office cannot provide estimates on a completion date for the review at this time.
The probe comes less than a week after the Justice Department's inspector general's office announced a separate investigation into DOJ's compliance with the Epstein files law. The Epstein files law compelled the Justice Department to release investigative records related to the Epstein case that would otherwise not be made public.
The senators were told by the Government Accountability Office that their investigators will be in contact with the Inspector General’s office to ensure no duplication of efforts.
The senators' letter to the Government Accountability Office asked it to review how many people were involved in the review and release process. The letter asked for all guidance, written or otherwise, provided by DOJ or other senior Trump Administration officials to those tasked with reviewing and redacting the Epstein files for public release from January 20, 2025 to the present.
