Newly revealed government files in New York concerning the late financier Jeffrey Epstein offer unprecedented details about his network of contacts with the political and business elite. The documents also shed light on investigations that allowed him to evade federal prosecution nearly two decades ago.
The Department of Justice announced the release of over three million pages of documents and audiovisual material. The files include communications with former White House advisers, tycoon Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Prince Andrew, exposing the extent of Epstein's influence after he had served a sentence in Florida.
Although a draft indictment was prepared based on testimony from minors, then-federal prosecutor Alexander Acosta approved an agreement. This deal allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges, serving only 18 months in prison on a state charge.
Regarding Elon Musk, records indicate he contacted Epstein to plan visits to his Caribbean island, although the entrepreneur has denied that such trips occurred. Among the findings are emails with Steve Bannon, who joked about politics with Epstein, and with Steve Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants. The archives also illuminate the FBI's 2006 investigation.
Furthermore, the documents contain hundreds of references to Prince Andrew and mentions of Donald Trump, though no direct accusations against them appear in these specific files. The material also confirms the tragic outcome for one of the main accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who committed suicide last year after reaching an out-of-court settlement with Prince Andrew.
