Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress have released new photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein's private island. The materials were taken by police in 2020. Epstein was a financier and a convicted sex offender who died in 2019. The lawmakers want to make the investigation into his crimes more public and transparent.
The release is part of an official investigation into Epstein's actions. The island, called Little St. James, is where he is accused of abusing and trafficking young women for many years. The videos show different areas of the property, like bedrooms, bathrooms, an office, and the pool area. Some objects in the videos are interesting, like a phone with a list of first names and a room with a dentist's chair and masks on the wall. The committee has hidden the faces of women in the photos for their privacy.
Congressman Robert Garcia, who led the release, said the images are disturbing. He stated, "We are releasing these photos... to ensure public transparency... and to help piece together the full picture of Epstein’s horrific crimes." He promised to keep fighting for justice for the victims.
This action increases pressure on the government. A new law says the Justice Department must release many more documents about the case by December. By showing these images now, the lawmakers want to keep public attention on the case. They hope this will force a full and final resolution for the survivors.