The Epstein Files
The full record: the original case, the deal, his death, Maxwell, the 2025 law, the document releases, and the fights still open. Every line has a source.
Read this first. Appearing in the Epstein files is not evidence of wrongdoing. The releases include emails, contact books, flight records and photos involving many public figures. Apart from Maxwell, no one referenced in them has been charged with a crime.
The Florida case
Palm Beach police open an investigation after a 14-year-old's family reports she was molested at Epstein's mansion. AP
A grand jury indicts Epstein on a single count of soliciting prostitution. The FBI opens its own investigation. AP
Federal prosecutors prepare an indictment, but Epstein's lawyers negotiate a deal with Miami U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta. AP
Epstein pleads guilty to two state prostitution charges, one involving a minor, and gets 18 months. A secret agreement spares him federal charges. He serves most of it on work release. AP
Epstein is released from jail. AP
Arrest and death
A Miami Herald series re-examines the case and Acosta's role in the deal. Acosta is Labor Secretary at the time. AP
Epstein is arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in New York. Prosecutors there conclude the 2008 deal doesn't bind them. AP
Acosta resigns as Labor Secretary. AP
Epstein is found dead in his cell at a federal jail in New York. Investigators rule it suicide. AP
Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell is charged with helping recruit underage girls for Epstein. AP
A jury convicts Maxwell on multiple counts, including sex trafficking. AP
Maxwell is sentenced to 20 years in prison. AP
JPMorgan agrees to pay $290 million to settle a lawsuit by Epstein victims, without admitting liability. Semafor
The Bureau of Prisons moves Maxwell to a prison camp in Bryan, Texas. WUFT / NPR
The Supreme Court declines to hear Maxwell's appeal. Al Jazeera · Axios
Subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell refuses to answer questions. Her lawyer says she would talk only if granted clemency. ABC (Australia)
A federal judge rejects her bid to overturn her conviction, calling her claims meritless. ABC (Australia)
The fight over the files
Attorney General Pam Bondi suggests in a Fox News interview that an Epstein "client list" is on her desk. AP
Conservative influencers receive binders of Epstein files from Bondi. Britannica
A DOJ and FBI memo says there is no client list, no credible evidence of blackmail, and the evidence supports suicide. No more files will be released. Axios · AP
The Wall Street Journal reports on a letter it says bore Trump's name. Trump denies writing it and sues the paper. AP
The House passes the Epstein Files Transparency Act, 427–1. Britannica
Trump signs the law, which requires release within 30 days. Britannica
DOJ releases a first batch of hundreds of thousands of documents and misses the deadline for the full release. Britannica · Al Jazeera
The House Oversight Committee votes to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt for skipping subpoenaed depositions. Axios
Then-Deputy AG Todd Blanche announces more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, and calls the review complete. Al Jazeera · NPR
Trump removes Bondi as attorney general. Media reports tie it to her handling of the files. Blanche becomes acting AG. Al Jazeera
The DOJ inspector general opens an audit of the department's compliance with the law. CBS News
Bondi tells House Oversight in a closed-door interview that she delegated the files review to Blanche. NPR
A judge orders DOJ to unredact more files or explain why it can't. CBS News
The Senate confirms Blanche as attorney general, 50–49. Axios
CBS News reports the released files reference classified Epstein material and show numbering gaps. CBS News
