New Mexico's chief law enforcement officer has publicly accused the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) of obstructing a state criminal inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein by failing to turn over unredacted records the state sought earlier this year.
The Democratic-led state reopened its investigation in February into allegations of abuse at Epstein's former ranch, located south of New Mexico's capital, Santa Fe. Epstein is accused of abusing women and girls at the property for nearly three decades. Nearly five months into the renewed inquiry, Attorney General Raul Torrez has not announced outcomes from the investigation.
In a June 30 letter to Acting U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche, Torrez said the Justice Department had not complied with a February request for unredacted files that contain the names of Epstein survivors, witnesses, co-conspirators and other individuals Torrez described as essential to the state probe. Torrez wrote that the delay - which he said had reached 130 days - was "unreasonable under any rule of reason."
The dispute unfolded against a backdrop of political attention on the handling and release of DOJ files related to Epstein, an issue that has touched the presidency during the current term. The president has suggested the country move on from investigating the late financier's crimes, a stance that has drawn pressure from those seeking fuller disclosure of records.
Responding to Torrez's letter, a Justice Department spokesperson said the agency provided a response to New Mexico's request in June. The spokesperson emphasized that the DOJ "welcomes New Mexico undertaking additional investigation of the Zorro Ranch and stands ready to provide necessary assistance with New Mexico’s investigation," adding that the department was prepared to investigate and, if warranted, prosecute federal crimes revealed by the state inquiry.
Torrez has previously flagged several obstacles for investigators pursuing the Zorro Ranch matter. In March, he pointed to the passage of years since the alleged crimes, the possibility that evidence at the ranch could have deteriorated or disappeared after the property was sold in 2023, and potential jurisdictional complications that could affect any prosecutions.
The exchange between state and federal authorities centers on access to records and coordination as New Mexico continues its review of allegations tied to the property once owned by Epstein. The state has asserted a need for unredacted materials to identify and contact individuals central to its work, while the Justice Department has stated it is willing to assist and pursue any federal offenses that surface during the state-led probe.