The US Justice Department's internal watchdog has announced an investigation into how the department handled the release of investigative files on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The DOJ's Office of Inspector General will evaluate the department's processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records related to Epstein, who cultivated ties with wealthy and powerful figures, and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The review will focus on how the department identified and collected records, its process for redacting and withholding material, and its efforts to address concerns about some information that was released.
DOJ officials have released over 3 million pages of records under the law, but Republican and Democratic lawmakers have criticized the department's rollout of the files, citing the release of some alleged victims' identities and redactions that appear to go beyond limited exemptions allowed under the law.
The review will likely prolong scrutiny of the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files, an issue that has shadowed Justice Department leadership under President Donald Trump.
