Justice Department can unseal records from Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case, judge says

U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman has ruled that secret grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public. This decision aligns with the Justice Department's request to unseal certain materials following the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of Epstein-related documents by December 19.

The judge noted that the released documents are not comprehensive and primarily consist of hearsay. Epstein’s estate remains neutral on the release, while some victims support it if their identities are protected. The judge emphasized the need to redact victim information to ensure privacy and safety. Maxwell, Epstein's associate, is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.