DOJ IG Launches Audit of Epstein Files Compliance Amid Missed Deadline and Subpoena Fight

The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General launched an audit to assess the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, following a missed deadline and an ongoing subpoena dispute.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an audit into the department’s adherence to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This internal inquiry aims to evaluate the DOJ's processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records related to Jeffrey Epstein, as mandated by the Act. The law requires the public release of these files, with specific provisions for withholding sensitive information like victim identities or ongoing investigations.

The audit follows the DOJ's failure to meet a key deadline. The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the release of all relevant files by December 19; however, the department did not make these records public until January 31. This delay of 43 days preceded the OIG's announced review.

Separately, the DOJ is challenging a House subpoena for former Attorney General Pam Bondi. The department argues that the subpoena, issued while Bondi held office, is no longer valid because she no longer serves as Attorney General. Consequently, the DOJ states she is not required to appear for her scheduled deposition on April 14.

The OIG's audit will scrutinize the department's handling of sensitive information and its transparency obligations. This review could impact public trust in federal agencies' ability to comply with legislative mandates. All parties involved, including Congress and the public, await the audit's findings and any resolutions to the ongoing subpoena conflict.