Judge rules Epstein’s 2019 grand jury transcripts can be released

A federal judge in New York has ruled that the U.S. Department of Justice can publicly release grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Berman overturned his previous decision to seal the materials. He cited a new law passed by Congress requiring the Justice Department to release documents on Epstein by the end of next week.

Esten was charged with sex trafficking in July 2019. He died a month later in a New York jail while awaiting trial.

The latest ruling comes a day after another judge ruled Similar ruling in Ghislaine Maxwell case, She was convicted in 2021 of facilitating Epstein’s abuse.

Judge Berman in August rejected a previous request from the Justice Department to unseal grand jury materials, saying he was concerned “the safety and privacy of the victims may be compromised.”

But in Wednesday’s ruling, he said the material could now be released thanks to the Epstein Documents Transparency Act signed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month.

The law requires the Justice Department to release investigative materials related to Epstein, including unclassified records, documents and communications, by Dec. 19.

It also allows the department to withhold documents that are involved in an active criminal investigation or raise privacy concerns.

Judge Berman said victims have the right to “protect their identity and privacy,” adding that “security and privacy are of paramount importance.”