Epstein Files: DOJ Withholding Half of Records, Congressman Claims

Congress Demands Unreleased Epstein Documents Amid Oversight Probe

Washington D.C. – The House Oversight Committee believes approximately half of the documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case remain under the control of the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to Congressman Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking member. This assertion comes as the committee intensifies its efforts to obtain all relevant files, citing a lack of legal justification for the DOJ’s continued withholding of information and raising concerns about potential cover-ups and the involvement of other powerful individuals.

Questions Mount Over Epstein’s Death and DOJ’s Transparency

In a recent interview, Congressman Garcia detailed the Oversight Committee’s ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death and the broader handling of his case. While acknowledging that two DOJ investigations concluded Epstein’s death was a suicide, Garcia stressed the need for transparency amidst widespread controversy and reported inconsistencies. “There’s been so much deception that I think it’s important that we take a serious look around the events that led to his death,” Garcia stated.

The committee is focused on several key areas of inquiry, including:

• Allegations of protection payments made by Epstein to prison guards.
• The extent of knowledge held by prison staff regarding Epstein’s activities.
• The issue of missing camera footage from the facility where Epstein was held.
• The conclusions of independent experts who have reportedly reached different findings than the official DOJ investigations.

Garcia highlighted that the committee is pursuing these questions to ensure accountability and uncover the full truth. “If we can get more information about whether it was payments, which I think would be quite alarming, whether anyone else had actually come to visit Jeffrey Epstein. Those are the kind of questions that we want to ask,” he explained.

DOJ Accused of Withholding Critical Evidence

A significant point of contention is the DOJ’s alleged retention of roughly 50% of the Epstein-related files. Congressman Garcia described this as “outrageous,” emphasizing that a subpoena is in place mandating the release of all documents to Congress. “The subpoena makes it very clear that all documents need to be given to the United States Congress,” Garcia asserted. The committee suspects that the withheld information could pertain to Epstein’s co-conspirators, other influential figures in his circle, and potentially details about individuals who visited him.

The congressman also pointed to the handling of documents related to former President Trump as an example of the DOJ’s perceived obfuscation. Allegations made by a survivor concerning Trump were reportedly removed from files and later reinstated, yet the complete set of documents remains elusive. “So these are the kinds of questions about this White House cover-up that we need answered,” Garcia stated, underscoring the urgency of the committee’s work.

“We think that actually about half of the files are still missing, which is outrageous. I mean, 50 percent likely of the entire batch of files is still in the possession of the DOJ.”

– Rep. Robert Garcia

Accountant’s Testimony Raises Red Flags on Victim Settlements

Adding another layer to the unfolding investigation, Epstein’s longtime accountant, Richard Kahn, recently testified before the Oversight Committee. His testimony proved to be a focal point of concern, particularly regarding statements about a settlement made to a survivor who accused former President Trump of abuse. According to Garcia and Congressman Ro Khanna, Kahn’s account was contradictory.

Initially, Kahn reportedly stated that a payment was made to the accuser without a settlement. However, his legal counsel later altered this position, denying any such payment. A third revision saw the lawyers unable to confirm or deny whether the Epstein estate provided a settlement related to the alleged abuse. This shifting narrative, coupled with the absence of related documents during the committee’s review, has fueled the Oversight Committee’s skepticism.

“This is the same abuse, by the way, that we have referenced in the actual Epstein files and the same documents that were not there when we actually went to go look at them. And that’s a big concern to us in the committee,” Garcia remarked.

New Probe into Social Security Data Breach Allegations

Beyond the Epstein investigation, Congressman Garcia also addressed a separate, alarming development involving a potential data breach at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Reports indicate that a former SSA employee allegedly had access to highly sensitive databases and may have intended to share this information with a private employer.

Garcia condemned the alleged actions as “dangerous and outrageous,” vowing that the Oversight Committee Democrats would pursue transparency and accountability. The committee is investigating claims that personal information of over 70 million Americans could have been compromised. While the accused staffer has denied wrongdoing through his lawyer, the committee has serious questions about the evidence suggesting the theft of Social Security information.

“We’re talking about people’s personal information. It is incredibly concerning what Musk and Trump and these Doge staffers, they really had no business accessing people’s personal information,” Garcia stated, drawing parallels between different instances of alleged unauthorized access to sensitive data. The committee plans to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Looking Ahead: Continued Scrutiny and Demands for Transparency

The House Oversight Committee’s persistent efforts to unseal the remaining Epstein files and its investigation into the Social Security data breach underscore a broader commitment to accountability. As the DOJ faces increasing pressure to release all pertinent documents and as new details emerge from witness testimonies, the coming weeks are likely to bring further revelations. The committee’s ongoing work promises to shed more light on the complex web of allegations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and the potential misuse of sensitive data, demanding answers from those in positions of power.

Source: Rep. Garcia: Oversight Committee thinks ‘about half’ of the Epstein files are still held by DOJ (YouTube)