On Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a letter in the Federal Register asserting that the Department of Justice had satisfied the court‑ordered release of documents in the high‑profile Epstein litigation. The filing, however, referenced an incorrect section of the Federal Records Act, a mistake that legal analysts say undermines the DOJ’s claim of compliance.
Judge Emmet Sullivan’s original order required the DOJ to make specific Epstein‑related files publicly accessible within a set timeframe. By citing the wrong law, the DOJ’s filing does not meet the precise procedural requirements outlined by the court, exposing the agency to a possible finding of contempt.
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Plaintiff Katie Phang, representing the victims’ families, has indicated she will file a formal response outlining the deficiencies in the DOJ’s submission. Legal experts anticipate that the court may schedule a hearing to determine whether the agency must issue a corrected filing or face sanctions.
