The US Justice Department releases redacted Epstein investigation files, showing photos of Bill Clinton, amid claims of a cover-up to protect Trump.
WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department on Friday began publishing a long-awaited trove of records from investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The release included multiple photographs showing former president Bill Clinton and other high-profile figures in Epstein’s company.
Large sections of the documents were heavily redacted, with officials citing the protection of victim information and ongoing investigations.
One file contained seven pages listing 254 masseuses, with every name obscured by thick black bars.
Another included dozens of censored images showing naked or scantily clad figures, and others showed Epstein and companions with firearms.
Previously unseen photographs include one showing a younger-looking Clinton reclining in a hot tub, with part of the image blacked out.
In another, Clinton is pictured swimming alongside a woman who appears to be Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
The White House communications team quickly commented on the Clinton photos on social media.
Former president Donald Trump, once a close friend of Epstein, fought for months to prevent the records’ release.
Trump eventually signed a law last month compelling publication after pressure from Congress.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said several hundred thousand documents would be released on Friday, with more to come.
He stated the files were redacted to protect victims and that “no new charges” were due from the release.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the partial release as “a cover up to protect Donald Trump from his ugly past.”
Trump had dismissed the push for transparency as a “Democrat hoax” after returning to office.
His administration had previously stated there was “no credible evidence” Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.
Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls for him.
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
For the public and victims, the file release marks the clearest opportunity yet to shed light on the scandal. – AFP
