The Justice Department’s internal watchdog announced on Thursday that it will review the department’s handling of the Epstein files, following accusations from lawmakers that officials improperly redacted information about victims and failed to meet deadlines for releasing materials related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Inspector General Audit Announced
The DOJ’s Office of Inspector General stated it is conducting an audit to assess the department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation, passed last year, mandated the release of documents, photos, and videos collected during the government’s investigation into Epstein.
Some members of Congress have criticized Justice Department officials for what they describe as a botched rollout of the files. The documents were released in batches over three months, far exceeding the congressionally mandated deadline.
Scope of the Review
The audit will evaluate how the department identified, redacted, and released the records. The Justice Department released millions of documents associated with the government’s investigation into Epstein over several months, well beyond the statutory deadline.
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