The Justice Department's internal watchdog is investigating compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law that compelled the department to release records related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The preliminary objective of the probe is "to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act," said Deputy Inspector General William M. Blier, who is performing the duties of the inspector general after former Inspector General Michael Horowitz moved to the Federal Reserve last year.
The Justice Department has been heavily criticized over its handling of the review of the Epstein case.
The federal investigation into Epstein led to just one conviction, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, despite widespread criticism from survivors, their families and advocates. The politically connected Epstein died by suicide in federal lockup while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse, along with lawmakers and some Trump supporters, called for the publication of documents related to the case.
Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November to force the release of the files.
Justice Department officials announced in December that hundreds of thousands of files would be released, but then made public only a small fraction of that amount.
The department made public millions more files at the end of January. Millions were withheld, most of which acting Attorney General Blanche said were duplicates, but about 200,000 were held back or redacted for various legal reasons.
When the files were released publicly, some victims' personal information was made public, too. A group sued the Trump administration and Google over the disclosure of their personal information found in the files over the past several months.
Blanche told NBC News it was "horrible" and "inexcusable" that identifying details were made public.
The Justice Department watchdog review will focus on the department's identification, collection and production of materials, and its guidance on redacting material. Investigators will also look into the process for addressing concerns after the publication of the documents.
The watchdog will publish a public report on its findings, although the timeline is unclear.
Blanche has said case remained open in the U.S. and encouraged victims to come forward if they had information that could help bring additional charges.
At least nine investigations related to Epstein have opened in eight different countries since the release of the files.
