Topic overview
In brief
- New Mexico's Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the DOJ for obstructing the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
- The lawsuit claims the DOJ has ignored multiple requests for critical information related to Epstein's activities at Zorro Ranch.
- The ongoing legal battle highlights the challenges faced by state authorities in seeking justice for Epstein's victims.
Summary
In 2025, New Mexico's Attorney General Raúl Torrez initiated legal action against the U.S. Department of Justice and its acting head, Todd Blanche, claiming that the federal agency obstructed the state's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities at his Zorro Ranch. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., and accused the DOJ of 'stonewalling' efforts to gather crucial evidence and information related to Epstein and his associates. Torrez argued that the DOJ's lack of cooperation was actively harming victims and delaying justice for survivors of Epstein's crimes.
The lawsuit coincided with the release of an interim report by New Mexico's Truth Commission, which aimed to uncover the truth about Epstein's activities in the state. The report highlighted the challenges faced by state investigators in accessing unredacted files from the DOJ, which were deemed essential for identifying victims and witnesses. Despite the DOJ's claims of protecting victim privacy, Torrez contended that the agency had failed to provide necessary cooperation, undermining the state's ability to hold Epstein's associates accountable.