The Department of Justice, under new Attorney General Pam Bondi, is taking a renewed approach to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team to explore potential cooperation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that he has initiated contact with Maxwell’s counsel, aiming to gather information about uncharged individuals who may have been involved in Epstein’s criminal enterprise. This development follows a previous FBI review that concluded no new evidence was found against additional parties, prompting renewed efforts from the DOJ to pursue justice.
Blanche’s outreach marks a significant shift in the DOJ’s strategy, particularly given the previous public statements by DOJ and FBI leaders who had vowed to release all documents related to Epstein’s case. The July 6 joint statement, signed by FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, had claimed that no new evidence was found in the FBI’s thorough review of Epstein’s case. This led to public backlash, with President Donald Trump and other officials repeatedly calling for the release of all documents. However, Bongino reportedly expressed private concerns over the memo after the public fallout.
The new outreach to Maxwell is viewed as an effort to uncover more information about individuals who may have been involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. Blanche stated that the DOJ believes Maxwell could have information about those who have committed crimes against victims. Furthermore, he mentioned that President Trump has directed the DOJ to release all credible evidence, leading to the current approach of reaching out to Maxwell’s legal team.
Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for helping Epstein traffic teen girls, is still appealing her case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, confirmed that they are in discussions with the government and emphasized that Maxwell would always testify truthfully. The DOJ’s new approach underscores the ongoing interest in uncovering the full extent of Epstein’s criminal network, despite previous claims of exhausted evidence.