New Mexico Legislators Launch Truth Commission to Investigate Epstein's Secluded Ranch
State legislators in New Mexico have initiated a bipartisan truth commission to scrutinise past activities at a remote desert ranch where financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once hosted guests. The investigation, launched on Tuesday, aims to uncover whether local authorities turned a blind eye to alleged criminal conduct at the property.
Bipartisan Panel to Examine Allegations of Abuse and Corruption
A four-member panel of state House representatives, comprising both Democrats and Republicans, is tasked with investigating claims that the ranch may have facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Lawmakers are also seeking answers as to why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender in New Mexico following his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Additionally, the commission will probe potential corruption among public officials who may have enabled Epstein's activities.
Democratic state Representative Marianna Anaya of Albuquerque, a member of the truth commission, emphasised the need for accountability during a news conference. She urged individuals with information about abuse linked to Epstein and his associates to come forward, assuring confidentiality for those who share their experiences.
"That perpetrator could not act alone. They could not run a sex ring alone, they could not commit these types of financial crimes alone. So we know as a commission that enablers must also be held accountable, including the state itself, if needed," Anaya stated.
Epstein's Zorro Ranch and Its Controversial History
Jeffrey Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King. He developed the property, constructing a 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion complete with a private runway. The estate was sold by Epstein's estate in 2023, with proceeds directed to creditors. Epstein's death by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019, while awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of underage girls, left many questions unanswered regarding his operations in New Mexico.
Truth commission chairwoman and state Representative Andrea Romero of Santa Fe revealed that several survivors of Epstein's abuse have indicated that sex trafficking extended to the ranch, located approximately 35 miles south of Santa Fe. Romero criticised previous federal investigations for failing to establish an official record of events at the property.
"We’ve heard years of allegations and rumors about Epstein’s activities here. But unfortunately, federal investigations have failed to put together an official record," Romero said. "This truth commission will finally fill in the gaps of what we need to know."
Commission Composition and Investigative Powers
The truth commission includes retired FBI agent and Republican state Representative William Hall of Aztec, alongside former district attorney and Representative Andrea Reeb of Clovis. State House legislators unanimously voted on Monday to establish the commission, granting it subpoena power and a budget exceeding $2 million. While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, the state attorney general's office confirmed in 2019 that it was investigating the ranch and had interviewed potential victims.
In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez ordered an investigation into financial businesses used by Epstein, resulting in agreements with two banks that allocated $17 million towards human trafficking prevention efforts. The new truth commission aims to build on these efforts, providing a comprehensive examination of Epstein's legacy in the state and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.
