Federal judge orders unsealing of more Epstein files in New York

New York, NY – December 10, 2025  A federal judge in Manhattan has ordered the unsealing of grand jury materials and investigative records tied to the sex trafficking case against Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The ruling, issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, clears the way for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release a trove of previously secret documents by December 19, potentially shedding new light on one of the most notorious scandals in modern American history.

The decision comes on the heels of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan measure signed into law by President Donald Trump last month, which mandates the public disclosure of all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein and Maxwell. "The Act unambiguously applies" to the grand jury transcripts, exhibits, and "voluminous discovery" materials from Maxwell's 2021 trial, Engelmayer wrote in his 24-page opinion, overriding longstanding federal rules that typically keep such proceedings under permanent seal.Maxwell, the 63-year-old British socialite and former Epstein confidante, is currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida federal prison for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for sexual abuse by Epstein and others. Her conviction marked a rare prosecutorial success in the sprawling Epstein saga, which has long fueled conspiracy theories and demands for full disclosure due to the financier's ties to high-profile figures across politics, business, and entertainment.

A Cascade of Unsealings

Engelmayer's order is the second major breakthrough in as many weeks. On December 5, a federal judge in Florida directed the release of transcripts from grand jury probes into Epstein dating back to 2005 and 2007—investigations that famously culminated in a controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement allowing Epstein to plead guilty to state charges and serve just 13 months in a lenient work-release program. And on Wednesday, yet another New York judge, Richard M. Berman, reversed his earlier denial and approved the unsealing of about 70 pages of grand jury records from Epstein's ill-fated 2019 federal sex-trafficking case, which ended abruptly with the financier's death by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell.

The DOJ, which first sought to unseal these materials in July under Trump's urging, described the files as encompassing "hundreds or thousands" of pages. However, Engelmayer cautioned that the documents are unlikely to deliver bombshell revelations, emphasizing instead their value in promoting transparency. To safeguard victims, the judge mandated redactions for any information that could identify Epstein and Maxwell's accusers or invade their privacy—a provision hailed by victims' rights groups who criticized the DOJ for inadequate consultation in the process.

"This is a victory for transparency and justice," said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, which has already subpoenaed thousands of pages from Epstein's estate. "These files must now be turned over in full, ensuring the public finally gets the unvarnished truth about how Epstein operated with impunity for so long."

Roots in a Scandal That Won't Fade

The push for unsealing traces back to Epstein's 2019 arrest on federal child sex-trafficking charges, which exposed a web of abuse spanning decades and ensnaring vulnerable teens from as young as 14. Epstein, once a fixture in elite circles—counting Trump, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and celebrities like Prince Andrew among his associates—died before trial, leaving many questions unanswered and suspicions of foul play or cover-ups to fester.Trump, who once called Epstein a "terrific guy" before distancing himself, initially resisted full disclosure during his campaign but reversed course amid bipartisan pressure. The resulting Epstein Files Transparency Act passed Congress unanimously, with the Senate approving it by consent and sending it to the president's desk. "The American people deserve to know the full extent of this horror," Trump said upon signing, though critics noted the law's allowances for withholding files tied to active probes or privacy risks.

Maxwell's legal team, while not opposing the DOJ's request outright, warned in recent filings that premature release could prejudice any future appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected her initial conviction challenge earlier this year, but her attorneys have signaled plans for another petition.

What Comes Next?

The DOJ must begin releasing the New York materials by month's end, subject to court-approved protections. A third request—for records from Epstein's 2019 case overseen by Berman—is now resolved, completing a trifecta of judicial nods to the transparency law. Legal experts predict the disclosures could reignite public scrutiny of Epstein's enablers, though officials stress that no new criminal charges are anticipated from the files alone.As the documents trickle out, victims' advocates urge caution: This is not just about salacious details, but about reckoning with systemic failures that allowed predators like Epstein to thrive. "Transparency is the first step toward healing," said one anonymous survivor in a statement to advocates. "But it's long overdue."For now, the nation waits—and watches—as the shadows of Epstein's empire begin to lift.