Chicago – April 23, 2026
The U.S. Justice Department’s internal watchdog has opened an audit of how the agency handled the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, amid questions over redactions, delays, and privacy protections. The review comes after lawmakers and victims raised concerns that the department may not have fully complied with a law requiring the documents to be made public.
The inspector general said it will examine how records were identified, collected, reviewed, redacted, and released, as well as how officials responded after survivors complained that personal information had been exposed. The investigation is expected to focus on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law in November by President Donald Trump, which required disclosure of the files within 30 days.
The Justice Department has already released millions of pages in batches, but critics say the process has been slow and uneven. Some lawmakers have also accused the department of over-redacting material or withholding records for political reasons, allegations the department has denied.
The watchdog’s findings could add fresh pressure on the administration as scrutiny over the handling of the Epstein files continues.
