US justice department launches probe into Epstein files handling

The US justice department’s internal watchdog will now be reviewing the department’s handling of the Epstein files. The move comes after repeated complaints from survivors over the leak of personal information and questions over compliance with a disclosure law.The office of the inspector general said on Thursday that it will examine how the department collected, reviewed and redacted the records. The audit will focus on whether officials complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the release of records tied to Epstein and material related to the investigation into his 2019 jail death.“The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is initiating an audit of DOJ’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Our preliminary objective is to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act,” the statement read.It will also assess how the department addressed privacy concerns after the files were made public.The review comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Justice Department under President Donald Trump’s second term and marks the first major effort to examine its handling of the Epstein case since his return to office.The statement said, “To accomplish this preliminary objective, the OIG plans to focus on reviewing (1) the DOJ’s identification, collection, and production of responsive material; (2) DOJ guidance and processes for redacting and withholding material consistent with the requirements enumerated in the Act; and (3) DOJ’s processes for addressing post-release publication concerns. If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider addressing other issues that may arise during the course of the audit.“