Archive · 18 Jan 2026
DOJ Says Judge Can't Appoint Expert for Epstein Documents
There's a big argument about releasing documents from a case involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who were involved in a sex trafficking probe.
Two congressmen, Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, think the government is taking too long to release these documents and might be breaking the law.
They asked a judge to appoint an expert to oversee the release.
But the Justice Department says the judge doesn't have the power to do that because the congressmen aren't directly involved in the case.
The DOJ also says they're taking time to protect the identities of victims.
So far, only a small number of documents have been released, and the congressmen are upset about it.
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer was told he lacks authority to appoint a neutral expert to oversee the release of Epstein and Maxwell documents.
Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie requested the appointment, citing concerns about the slow release process and potential criminal violations.
The Justice Department argued that the congressmen do not have standing in the court to make such a request.
The DOJ expects to update the court soon regarding the progress of document release, which has been slowed by redactions to protect victims' identities.
Only 12,000 documents out of more than 2 million have been released, which the congressmen call a 'flagrant violation' of the law.
- Who
- Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Thomas Massie, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell
- What
- Dispute over the public release of documents in the Epstein and Maxwell sex trafficking probe
- When
- Recent, with Epstein's death in August 2019 and Maxwell's conviction in December 2021
- Where
- New York, U.S.
- Why
- Congressmen believe the release process is slow and has criminal violations, while the DOJ argues the judge lacks authority to appoint an expert
- Key Figures
- Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Thomas Massie, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell
- Legal Context
- Sex trafficking probe of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
- Congressional Act
- Epstein Files Transparency Act
- Documents Released
- 12,000 out of 2 million
- Redaction Reason
- Protect identities of abuse victims
- Maxwell's Sentence
- 20 years in prison
- Epstein's Death
- August 2019, ruled a suicide
