New Mexico Sues Justice Department Over Jeffrey Epstein Probe

The New Mexico Attorney General's office filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against the United States Department of Justice, alleging the agency is stonewalling a state criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. Raúl Torrez claims that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other federal leaders implemented an unlawful non-cooperation policy that prevents state prosecutors from accessing unredacted evidence regarding child sexual abuse and trafficking at Epstein's Zorro Ranch.

New Mexico officials state they paused their probes in 2019 following an agreement with federal authorities, but faced bureaucratic defiance when they reopened the case in February. A primary focus of the investigation is a document alleging that two female victims are buried on the Zorro Ranch property near Santa Fe.

The Justice Department denied the allegations, asserting that the state provided no lawful basis for the requested disclosures. Department spokesperson Kiersten Pels stated that the agency must protect victim information and adhere to binding court orders.