Newly unsealed Justice Department records expose that the FBI received a detailed complaint in 1996 about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged possession of child pornography and threats against a witness—but took no meaningful action for nearly a decade.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — The FBI was warned in 1996 that financier Jeffrey Epstein was collecting explicit images of underage girls and threatening witnesses, yet the agency failed to act on the allegations for nearly 10 years, according to newly released Justice Department documents.
The complaint, filed on September 3, 1996, by Maria Farmer, an artist who worked for Epstein, detailed disturbing accusations: Epstein had stolen explicit photographs of her underage sisters, actively sought images of young girls, and threatened to burn down her family’s home if she spoke out. The allegations, long buried in FBI files, surfaced publicly for the first time last week as part of a court-ordered release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the New York Post reported.
Farmer, who has maintained for years that federal authorities dismissed her claims, told The New York Times she now feels “vindicated” after being accused of fabricating her story. The FBI document, which initially redacted Farmer’s name, confirms her allegations but makes no mention of Ghislaine Maxwell or other Epstein associates.
Despite the seriousness of the complaint, Farmer said she received no meaningful response from the FBI for nearly a decade. It wasn’t until 2008 that Epstein faced federal scrutiny, resulting in a controversial plea deal that allowed him to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
Brad Edwards, an attorney representing Epstein’s victims, called for a full investigation into why the complaint was suppressed for so long. The newly released documents have reignited criticism over the FBI’s handling of the Epstein case, with lawmakers and victims’ advocates demanding greater transparency and accountability.
The delay in addressing Farmer’s allegations raises questions about whether earlier intervention could have prevented years of abuse. The FBI’s inaction during the 1990s allowed Epstein to continue his activities unchecked, ultimately enabling a pattern of exploitation that persisted until his 2019 arrest—and eventual suicide in federal custody.
The latest disclosures add to a growing body of evidence suggesting systemic failures in the investigation of Epstein’s crimes, leaving victims and their families to question why justice was delayed for so long.
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