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Epstein Truth Commission says federal government not responding to subpoenas
The FAA and the USDOJ are not responding to subpoenas regarding Epstein flight logs and why an NM 2019 investigation was stopped
New Mexico’s Epstein Truth Commission has issued 20 subpoenas to local, state, and federal agencies, with all local and state agencies responding either with documents or requests for extensions, while two federal agencies have yet to reply.
New Mexico State Rep. Andrea Romero, the commission chair, said the Federal Aviation Administration was subpoenaed for information related to flights connected to Epstein.
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“We know that before there was an airstrip located at Zorro Ranch, there were a number of flights taken into Santa Fe or Albuquerque. And so we’re looking for specific information,” Romero said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has also not responded to a subpoena. Earlier this year, former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas told Target 7 that in 2019, he was instructed by that office to stand down on an Epstein investigation.
“What we’re trying to uncover in the files is what is essentially: was it for a specific purpose? We understand that they were told to stand out on sex crimes,” Romero said.
The New Mexico State Records Center and Archives responded to a subpoena by handing over 132 documents related to former Gov. Bill Richardson’s relationship with Epstein. According to Target 7’s investigation, Richardson met with Epstein nine times, and Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre alleged she was forced to give massages to Richardson. Richardson’s estate has denied any wrongdoing.
“It wasn’t just Governor Richardson’s records. It was him and prior governors from (Garrey) Carruthers to King to a number of others while they were in an office prior to Richardson. So we’re going to see a lot more than just one governor,” Romero said.
The commission also subpoenaed Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase, two banks used by Epstein, with response deadlines set for July 17.
“What was he doing? He’s known he was a known financier. What was his operation there? Who was he financing? And again, when we think about the allegations of perpetrators that he was working with,” Romero said.
The commission plans to release an interim report on July 31.
“But that interim report essentially is where we are. And so, you know, all of these things I’m telling you right now, and anything that we can release by the end of the month, we will,” Romero said.
The U.S. DOJ responded to claims they are not releasing unredacted Epstein files requested by the Truth Commission and the New Mexico Department of Justice.
“The Department of Justice substantively responded last month to requests from the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. The DOJ reiterates that it welcomes New Mexico undertaking additional investigation of the Zorro Ranch and stands ready to provide necessary assistance with New Mexico’s investigation. Should that investigation uncover potential Federal crimes, the DOJ will work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and, as appropriate, prosecute.”
