The US House Oversight Committee has released hundreds of pages of documents from the estate of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, including his “birthday book” and a 2007 non-prosecution agreement. The disclosure follows a subpoena issued to the Epstein estate in late August. The “birthday book,” compiled in 2003, features contributions from dozens of acquaintances, including former President Bill Clinton and attorney Alan Dershowitz.
The release of the documents has sparked controversy, with Republicans accusing Democrats of selectively publishing documents to smear President Donald Trump. Earlier in the day, Democrats had publicized an alleged note from Trump, which the president has denied writing. The note, which appears to be signed “Donald,” has been the subject of a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump against The Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch.
The Oversight Committee’s chair, James Comer, criticized Democrats for “cherry-picking documents and politicizing information received from the Epstein Estate.” Comer insisted that President Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing. Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution in 2008 and later arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019. He died in a Manhattan jail the same year, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence.
The release of the documents has sparked bipartisan calls for transparency, given Epstein’s long-standing ties to prominent political, business, and academic figures. However, the Department of Justice has said there is no “client list” linked to his trafficking crimes. The publication of the documents provides a deeper insight into Epstein’s connections and activities, and is likely to fuel further debate and investigation into his relationships with influential individuals.
The documents also include Epstein’s will and sections of his personal address book. The address book features a range of contacts, including politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. The release of these documents is significant, as it provides a window into Epstein’s world and his connections to powerful individuals. The controversy surrounding the documents is likely to continue, with Democrats and Republicans differing on the significance and implications of the released information.
