New Mexico Sues DOJ Over Withheld Epstein Ranch Investigation Files
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of stonewalling the state's criminal investigation into sex trafficking and abuse at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The state seeks unredacted federal files, citing over 13,000 references to the ranch in Epstein documents. The DOJ has allegedly ignored multiple requests, delaying justice for survivors. The ranch, near Santa Fe, was sold in 2023.
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New Mexico AG Sues DOJ, Accuses Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of Hiding Epstein Ranch Files
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday, accusing Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of blocking the state's criminal investigation into sex crimes at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. The lawsuit claims the DOJ ignored 10 separate requests for files and could unseal them 'with a stroke of a pen.' A state report released the same day criticized federal prosecutors in New York for never prioritizing New Mexico victims. The DOJ responded that court orders prohibit disclosing victim-identifying information without a lawful basis. Epstein died by suicide in 2019; his associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence. The ranch was sold in 2023 to the family of Texas official Don Huffines, who plans a Christian retreat there.
New Mexico Sues Trump DOJ for Blocking Epstein Ranch Investigation
New Mexico has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of intentionally withholding unredacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The state seeks access to federal case files to investigate allegations of child sex trafficking and abuse at the New Mexico property. Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated the DOJ's delay is harming the criminal investigation and delaying justice for survivors. The lawsuit follows a previous threat of legal action and a July 31 deadline. The Zorro Ranch, purchased by Epstein in 1993, has long been suspected as a site of illicit activity, with victims alleging trafficking and staff emails claiming bodies were buried there. The state's investigation was initially taken over by the federal government in 2019 under the first Trump administration, but the case was closed. Despite the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress in November, the DOJ has not fully released the files. Blanche, blamed by former Attorney General Pam Bondi for the bungled rollout, recently advanced in Senate confirmation proceedings.
New Mexico Sues Trump DOJ for Blocking Epstein Ranch Investigation
New Mexico filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of intentionally withholding unredacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The state seeks access to federal files to investigate alleged child sex trafficking and abuse at the New Mexico property, which victims claim was a site of illicit activity. Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated the DOJ's delay is harming the criminal investigation and delaying justice for survivors. The lawsuit follows a failed 2019 federal intervention that closed the case, and a 2025 congressional mandate (Epstein Files Transparency Act) that remains unfulfilled. Blanche faces criticism for obstructing the files' release, yet his confirmation for a top DOJ role advanced in the Senate.
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New Mexico Sues DOJ Over Epstein Ranch Investigation Files
New Mexico has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of stonewalling the state's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The 40-page filing seeks access to unredacted documents from the Epstein files that the DOJ is allegedly withholding. The ranch, located near Santa Fe, was reportedly a site of illicit activity, with victims like Virginia Giuffre claiming they were trafficked there. Emails from ranch staff allege that bodies of at least two girls were buried on the property. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated that the DOJ's delay is harming the criminal investigation and delaying justice for Epstein survivors. The story is developing.
New Mexico Sues Justice Department Over Withholding Epstein Ranch Files
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of 'stonewalling' the state's investigation into abuse allegations at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The lawsuit seeks to compel the release of files related to the property, which the state says are critical for its criminal investigation and for delivering justice to Epstein survivors. Publicly released Epstein files contain over 13,000 references to Zorro Ranch and 5,000 references to New Mexico, including evidence of grooming, trafficking, and sexual abuse. The state argues that the delay is actively harming its investigation.