Attorney General Pam Bondi is under fire after the Department of Justice issued a statement claiming there was no proof that the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein retained a “client list” or was killed.
The memo, first reported by Axios, said investigators found “no incriminating ‘client list’” and “no credible evidence … that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.”
It also stated that video evidence from the Manhattan jail where Epstein was detained when he died backed a medical examiner’s conclusion that he committed suicide. Rumors regarding Epstein’s supposed client list have spread since the infamous financier died while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019, with some assuming it will implicate well-known figures in sex crimes.
The memo said that “no further disclosure” of records related to Epstein would be “appropriate or warranted.”
“We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,” the memo said.
It also said the DOJ and the FBI’s review of records found that much of it was “subject to court-ordered sealing” and that only a fraction “would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial, as the seal served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third parties to allegations of illegal wrongdoing.”
“Through this review, we found no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials and will not permit the release of child pornography,” the memo continued.
Explaining the decision not to release further records, the memo said one of the government’s “highest priorities is combating child exploitation and bringing justice to victims.”
It added, “Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.”
The memo’s revelations have generated doubts, notably from Trump supporters, regarding Bondi’s previous statements about Epstein’s claimed client list.
In February, Bondi told Fox News that she had an alleged client list on her desk and planned to reveal it soon. The Justice Department then sent “declassified” binders to far-right influencers in the White House, although it rapidly became evident that most of the information was already public.
That catastrophe enraged conservatives and did not put an end to conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s case.
Later, Bondi stated that she had been informed of the presence of thousands of pages of previously revealed records and had directed the FBI to produce the “full and complete Epstein files,” including any films.
She stated in May that the FBI was looking at “tens of thousands of videos” of Epstein “with children or child porn.”
Bondi’s statements and the delay in releasing the next set of data have fueled speculation that hidden information exists about Epstein or other famous individuals.
On July 1, the Associated Press reported that it had spoken with attorneys and law enforcement authorities about Epstein’s criminal case and that of his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking after assisting Epstein in the exploitation of minor females.
The officers stated that they had not seen or were aware of a treasure of recordings similar to what Bondi alleged.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Pam Bondi said the Epstein client list was on her desk to review for release to the public just a few months ago. Now the DOJ she leads claims that there’s no Epstein client list. Sorry but this is unacceptable. Was she lying then or is she lying now? We deserve answers.”
The anonymous X account @catturd2 told its 3.7 million followers: “So all the girls who have testified about being raped on Epstein’s island were lying and Giselle Maxwell is in prison for being the madam for nobody? Please tell this is fake news.”
Savanah Hernandez, a Turning Point USA contributor, wrote on X: “Why did Pam Bondi get in front of the entire nation and say she had the Epstein client list on her desk? She should step down as Attorney General for lying to the American public.”
The Republicans Against Trump account wrote on X: “Attorney General Pam Bondi In February: Jeffrey Epstein’s client list is sitting on my desk right now to review. Today, Axios reports the DOJ concluded Epstein didn’t keep a client list. So…was she reviewing imaginary files?”
