DOJ Epstein Files: Department of Justice Records & Investigation

DOJ's Role in the Epstein Case

The U.S. Department of Justice has been involved in the Epstein case at multiple levels and across multiple administrations. According to DOJ records and press releases, the department's handling of the case has been the subject of significant public scrutiny, congressional inquiry, and internal review.

For a broader overview of all Epstein case documents, see our Epstein Files topic page.

The 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement

The most controversial aspect of DOJ involvement was the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement (NPA) negotiated by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta and his office in the Southern District of Florida. According to court filings, under this agreement Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges rather than facing federal prosecution, and unnamed co-conspirators were granted immunity.

According to a federal judge's ruling, the NPA violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act because victims were not properly notified or consulted about the agreement. The DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) subsequently investigated the conduct of the attorneys involved and, according to the OPR report, concluded they exercised "poor judgment" but did not commit professional misconduct.

Key elements of the NPA, according to court records:

• Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution charges in Florida
• He received an 18-month county jail sentence with work-release privileges
• Federal charges were not pursued
• Unnamed "potential co-conspirators" were granted immunity
• Victims were not informed of the agreement, in violation of the CVRA

The 2019 Federal Prosecution

In July 2019, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) brought new federal charges against Epstein, according to the DOJ press release. The SDNY prosecution operated independently of the earlier Florida-based investigation.

The SDNY indictment (Case No. 19-cr-00490) alleged that Epstein had engaged in sex trafficking of dozens of minor girls at his residences in New York and Palm Beach between at least 2002 and 2005, according to the charging document. Epstein died in federal custody on August 10, 2019, before trial.

The Maxwell Prosecution

Following Epstein's death, the DOJ pursued charges against Ghislaine Maxwell. According to DOJ press releases:

• Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 on charges including sex trafficking conspiracy
• She was convicted by a federal jury in December 2021
• She was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in June 2022, according to the SDNY sentencing announcement

The Maxwell trial and sentencing produced additional documentary evidence relevant to understanding Epstein's operation.

The 2025 DOJ File Release

In January 2025, the Department of Justice announced the release of files related to the Epstein investigation, as reported by the Associated Press. This release followed public and political pressure for greater transparency about the case.

According to reporting by major outlets, the released materials included investigative records, interview summaries, and other materials from the federal probe. The full scope and implications of these releases are still being analyzed by journalists and legal experts.

What We Know

Based on DOJ records and verified reporting:

• The DOJ's handling of the 2007 NPA was found to involve "poor judgment" by its own Office of Professional Responsibility
• The SDNY brought independent federal charges in 2019 that were not constrained by the earlier Florida NPA
• Ghislaine Maxwell was successfully prosecuted and convicted on sex trafficking charges
• Alexander Acosta resigned as Labor Secretary in July 2019 following renewed scrutiny of the NPA
• Additional DOJ files were released in January 2025

What We Don't Know

Despite the DOJ's various releases and proceedings, significant questions remain:

• The full reasoning behind the terms of the 2007 NPA, including the blanket immunity provision for unnamed co-conspirators
• Whether additional prosecutions of other individuals are being pursued or have been considered
• The complete contents of the DOJ's investigative files — what has been released represents an unknown fraction of the total
• Whether political considerations influenced any aspect of the DOJ's handling across multiple administrations
• The full scope of the 2025 file release and whether additional releases are forthcoming

Key DOJ Documents

• Federal Indictment (2019) — The SDNY charging document against Epstein (Documents archive)
• Non-Prosecution Agreement (2007) — The plea deal from the Florida investigation
• OPR Report — Internal review of prosecutorial conduct
• SDNY Press Releases — Official announcements regarding charges and proceedings
• Maxwell Sentencing Documents — Materials from the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell

Browse all indexed documents in our document library.

Primary Sources

1. U.S. Department of Justice, SDNY Press Releases — justice.gov
2. DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility — justice.gov/opr
3. DOJ Press Release: Epstein Charged, July 2019 — justice.gov
4. DOJ Press Release: Maxwell Sentenced, June 2022 — justice.gov
5. Crime Victims' Rights Act ruling — CourtListener
6. Associated Press, DOJ Epstein files coverage — apnews.com

---

For the full scope of Epstein case documents beyond DOJ records, see The Epstein Files. Learn about the individuals named in documents on our Epstein List page, or explore the full case timeline. Read our analysis of the 2025 DOJ release.