Victims of Jeffrey Epstein said they were shocked and outraged by the incomplete release of files related to the convicted paedophile financier, who died in prison in 2019.
Late on Friday, thousands of files were made public; however, victims say that much of the material was heavily redacted and that only a small portion was actually released.
“A Slap in the Face”
Marina Lacerda, who was abused by Epstein as a child, described the incomplete release as “a slap in the face.”
Lacerda said they had been hopeful for transparency, but what they encountered was a complete disappointment.
She also stressed that, citing Justice Department data, the true number of victims may be far higher than currently known.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
Ashley Rubright, who was abused at the age of 15, described the situation as a clear “cover-up.”
Rubright said the extensive redactions spanning page after page could not be explained solely as an effort to protect victims’ identities, adding: “We have been left behind from day one, and we are exhausted by it.”
Police Failures and Calls for Justice
Former model Alicia Arden said she was sexually assaulted by Epstein in 1997 after being lured under the pretext of a job interview.
Arden said that despite going to the police at the time, she received no support, describing Epstein as “a monster” and arguing that his accomplices should also be punished and made to lose both their money and their freedom.
Partial Relief
By contrast, some victims view the release of the files as a form of validation. Maria Farmer, who filed a complaint in 1996, said she felt “vindicated,” while also expressing sadness for other victims whom the FBI failed to protect.
Dani Bensky also said she felt a measure of relief, stating, “This is real — we are not a hoax,” while adding that she is still waiting for further information.
“This Is Not Over”
Victims’ lawyer Gloria Allred strongly criticised the failure to release the full set of files, despite a legal obligation to do so.
Allred said the Justice Department had once again let survivors down, adding: “This is not over until the truth is fully revealed and transparency is achieved.”