US Judge Orders Release of Jeffrey Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts

A Florida judge has ruled that secret grand jury records from a 2006 investigation into Jeffrey Epstein must be made public. The order grants a request from the *Palm Beach Post* and could reveal why federal prosecutors initially offered Epstein a controversial plea deal. Epstein, a financier accused of sex trafficking, avoided federal charges in 2008. He instead pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges and served 13 months in jail. The released transcripts may show how prosecutors reached that initial agreement. Separately, the US Justice Department is seeking the release of grand jury transcripts from the New York case against Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in Epstein’s crimes. The Florida records will be released after a required review to protect the identities of certain victims. Legal experts say the disclosures could provide unprecedented insight into the early handling of the Epstein case.