Judge: Deal reached to protect identities of Epstein victims in documents release

A deal was reached between lawyers for Jeffrey Epstein's victims and the Justice Department to better protect the identities of nearly 100 women in released documents. Attorneys for the victims complained to a Manhattan federal judge that the Justice Department failed to properly redact names and identifying information, causing some women to receive death threats and experience security breaches. The lawyers requested the government website be temporarily shut down and an independent monitor be appointed. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton attributed the errors to "technical or human error" and said the Justice Department has improved its protocols. Judge Richard M. Berman cancelled a hearing after being notified of the agreement, expressing satisfaction that the privacy issues were resolved.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) released around three million documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Friday, but subsequently removed thousands of files after victims' identities were compromised. Lawyers for the victims stated that the unredacted files, which included email addresses and nude photos, exposed nearly 100 survivors and violated their privacy. The DOJ acknowledged the errors were due to "technical or human error" and removed the flagged files for further redaction. Victims and their lawyers are calling the disclosure "outrageous" and requested a federal judge to order the DOJ to take down the website hosting the files. The DOJ is continuing to examine new requests and check for other documents needing redaction, as mandated by Congress.