Blanche warned of contempt risk in Epstein files case
Summary
A federal judge warned Attorney General Todd Blanche that he could face punishment if the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not follow a court order about releasing or reviewing files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The judge said the DOJ must provide more information to justify some redactions (blurring or hiding parts) in the documents and review certain materials more closely.Key Facts
- Judge Emmet Sullivan issued a 20-page order warning of possible civil contempt if DOJ does not comply.
- The case involves the release and review of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress last November.
- The DOJ has justified some redactions to protect survivors’ privacy but must provide more proof for others.
- Some handwritten FBI notes can’t be withheld just because they are similar to typed reports, according to the judge.
- DOJ’s refusal to review some foreign-language documents was rejected by the judge because it should still be practicable.
- The judge allowed redactions for government attorneys’ and law enforcement personnel’s names and emails, following DOJ rules.
- The lawsuit was brought by journalist Katie Phang and is among several legal efforts over Epstein files transparency.
- A House petition is close to forcing a vote on a new version of the Epstein Files Transparency Act to increase document releases.
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