US EditionEpstein, Florida Judge Orders the Publication of the First Investigations
Judge Rodney Smith cited the Epstein Files Transparency Act to order unsealing of grand jury materials from 2005 and 2007 investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's abuse cases.
- On Dec 05, 2025, Judge Rodney Smith ordered the release of grand jury transcripts from Epstein's Florida investigations, with some materials to be made public in the coming weeks.
- Overriding grand‑jury secrecy, the new law requires agencies to prepare records for public release; the Epstein Files Transparency Act of 2025, signed last month by President Donald Trump, overrides Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6 and compels release by Dec. 19.
- The Justice Department had asked courts to unseal records from multiple Epstein probes, and Judge Smith's order instructs lifting protective orders and redacting victims' information before release.
- The Justice Department can withhold files it says could jeopardize active federal investigations or national defense, while victims, Epstein's estate and Ghislaine Maxwell's attorneys warned of potential harm and judges plan quick rulings with case-by-case protections.
- The Florida files date back to 2005 and concluded with a 2008 plea deal widely seen as lenient, while judges in Florida and New York have noted transcripts may not reveal substantial new information.
259 Articles
259 Articles
Epstein grand jury documents from Florida can be released by DOJ, judge rules
A federal judge on Friday gave the Justice Department permission to release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of underage girls in Florida — a case that ultimately ended without any federal charges being filed against the millionaire sex offender. U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith said a recently passed federal law ordering the release of records related to Epstein overrode the usual rules about grand jury sec…
Federal Judge Rodney Smith ordered the disclosure of all documents of investigations into Jeffrey Epstein in 2005 and 2007. The same request was rejected earlier this year.
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Judge approves release of Epstein grand jury documents in Florida case
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Florida on Friday approved the release of grand jury documents from a nearly 20-year-old investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, beginning the process of making public another batch of long-sought material about the deceased financier.
A new law requires the disclosure of the Epstein files. A federal judge agrees. The documents could offer new insights.
Documents from the Epstein case in Florida are believed to shed light on the late financier's connections.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
