{"id":29259,"date":"2026-08-06T02:09:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T21:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29259"},"modified":"2026-08-06T02:09:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T21:09:31","slug":"new-mexico-attorney-general-sues-doj-over-epstein-files-he-says-are-needed-for-state-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29259","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico attorney general sues DOJ over Epstein files he says are needed for state probe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">New Mexico Attorney General Ra\u00fal Torrez filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to force the Department of Justice to turn over unredacted Epstein files he says are necessary to investigate <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/alerts\/jeffrey-epstein\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s<\/a> alleged crimes at the Zorro Ranch property that was formerly owned by the convicted sex offender.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Accusing the Department of Justice of &#8220;obstruction,&#8221; the lawsuit said that Torrez&#8217;s office has asked the DOJ for the records ten times since their investigation launched earlier this year, but have not received the necessary documents.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;USDOJ and Acting Attorney General [Todd] Blanche are refusing to facilitate the investigation of state law crimes by hiding information about Epstein and his co-conspirators from Attorney General Torrez and state law enforcement, when New Mexico is one of few jurisdictions that still may have an opportunity to hold Epstein&#8217;s associates accountable or otherwise provide some sense of justice to survivors,&#8221; the complaint said.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit asked a judge to declare the Department of Justice&#8217;s unwillingness to turn over all the records unlawful and force the turnover of the records.<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Torrez&#8217; office is seeking &#8220;complete and unredacted access to the Epstein files.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;They have continued to tell the public and members of Congress that they are cooperating with this office when they are not, and most importantly, they continue to withhold critical information that we think is essential to delivering justice to the victims and the survivors in this case,&#8221; Torrez said in a call with reporters Tuesday afternoon.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Department of Justice has pushed back on New Mexico&#8217;s claim that they are refusing to turn over the records, but Torrez argues that the few records he received are a fraction of the records he requires.<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->Torrez says that Zorro Ranch appears in the Epstein files about 13,000 times, but the Department of Justice only provided them about 31 pages of materials &#8212; mainly media clippings and past correspondence from his office, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;USDOJ adopted an authoritative and categorical policy or practice to refuse to share investigative information with New Mexico authorities concerning Zorro Ranch and potential allegations of human trafficking and widespread sexual abuse of young women and minors, hampering the State&#8217;s ability to investigate and prosecute these matters,&#8221; the lawsuit said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur \" style=\"padding-bottom:84.49074074074075%\" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6845c4d3-8596-4996-b7c9-f4bfe13b93bf\/epstein-prison_1780703709779_hpMain.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6845c4d3-8596-4996-b7c9-f4bfe13b93bf\/epstein-prison_1780703709779_hpMain.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6845c4d3-8596-4996-b7c9-f4bfe13b93bf\/epstein-prison_1780703709779_hpMain.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6845c4d3-8596-4996-b7c9-f4bfe13b93bf\/epstein-prison_1780703709779_hpMain.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6845c4d3-8596-4996-b7c9-f4bfe13b93bf\/epstein-prison_1780703709779_hpMain.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">In this image provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Jeffrey Epstein has his photo taken March 28, 2017.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Department of Justice has argued that the <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/Politics\/after-trump-signs-epstein-files-bill-focus-shifts\/story?id=127700652\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">Epstein Files Transparency Act<\/a> does not require they turn over the materials, and that handing over the materials to New Mexico could risk victims&#8217; privacy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;The Epstein Files Transparency Act does not require, and the protective orders in place in the Southern District of New York do not permit, disclosure of victim-identifying information carte blanche, and New Mexico has provided no lawful basis to justify such sweeping disclosures,&#8221; a DOJ spokesperson said. &#8220;Protecting victim privacy remains a top priority for the Department, and neither Touhy requests nor a desire to cooperate outweighs that privacy. DOJ remains available to assist New Mexico&#8217;s investigation consistent with the law and binding court orders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Torrez&#8217;s lawsuit cites the Administrative Procedure Act to argue that the withholding of materials is arbitrary and unlawful.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">New Mexico authorities <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/US\/new-mexico-reopens-investigation-jeffrey-epsteins-zorro-ranch\/story?id=130321583\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">reopened their investigation<\/a> into Zorro Ranch in February after documents in the Epstein files raised concerns about the scope of Epstein&#8217;s crimes at the property. The state&#8217;s initial investigation was halted at the request of federal prosecutors, who never searched the property, according to emails release by the DOJ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \">Torrez argues New Mexico&#8217;s investigation into Zorro Ranch is the only active investigation in the United States into Epstein&#8217;s associates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Mexico Attorney General Ra\u00fal Torrez filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to force the Department of Justice to turn over unredacted Epstein files he says are necessary to investigate Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s alleged crimes at the Zorro Ranch property that was formerly owned by the convicted sex offender. Accusing the Department of Justice of &#8220;obstruction,&#8221; the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29260,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6845c4d3-8596-4996-b7c9-f4bfe13b93bf\/epstein-prison_1780703709779_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1600","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abc-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29259\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}