Epstein Files name public figures including Woody Allen and Noam Chomsky
Washington: The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has released thousands of records linked to its investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and financier whose social circle included some of the world’s most powerful figures.
The disclosure, made on Friday, includes photographs, call logs, grand jury material and interview transcripts. Many of the documents have been heavily redacted and some had already entered the public domain. In a letter to Congress seen by the Associated Press (AP), the department acknowledged that the release was incomplete and said further material was expected before the end of the year.
The initial release was followed by a second batch of documents posted by the DoJ several hours later. This included 120 photographs supplied by the FBI, largely showing boxes, envelopes and folders of evidence from investigations into Epstein and his long-time associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. In most cases, the images did not reveal the contents of the evidence itself.
Michael Jackson, Woody Allen among public figures in the files
Several of the photographs feature well-known public figures, though none is accompanied by information explaining when or where the images were taken or how they related to the investigations. Among those pictured is the late pop star Michael Jackson, who appears in one photograph standing next to Epstein, and in another alongside singer Diana Ross and former president Bill Clinton. Clinton is shown with his hand on Jackson’s shoulder, while a woman standing nearby has her face redacted.
Photographs released earlier in the week also showed Epstein with figures including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, linguist Noam Chomsky and filmmaker Woody Allen. The DoJ provided no context for any of the images, and none depicts criminal activity.
The lack of explanation has drawn criticism, with observers noting that the material sheds limited new light on Epstein’s crimes. “I don’t expect it to be earth-shattering,” said Jacob Ellison, a 24-year-old from Texas. “But I believe people will be on that list that others wouldn’t assume.”
Jackson’s name was first linked to Epstein in documents released in January 2024, when he was mentioned in a deposition connected to a civil lawsuit against Maxwell. He was not accused of any wrongdoing.
In separate reporting, Woody Allen has previously spoken positively about his friendship with Epstein, telling The Times that he had spent “wonderful evenings” with him and that “he couldn’t have been nicer”. Allen’s comments have been viewed in the context of renewed public scrutiny of his own reputation following resurfaced allegations of sexual abuse made by his adopted stepdaughter, Dylan Farrow, which he denies.
Emails released by US lawmakers earlier this month showed that Noam Chomsky described maintaining “regular contact” with Epstein as a “most valuable experience”, despite Epstein’s prior conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The Guardian reported that Chomsky had acknowledged receiving about $270,000 from an account linked to Epstein while arranging the division of shared marital funds, though he has insisted that no money came directly from Epstein himself.
The DoJ has said further records will be released in the coming months, raising expectations of continued scrutiny of Epstein’s network and the extent of his relationships.
(With AP inputs)