US Justice Department opposes release of names of Epstein associates who received large payments

ISTANBUL

The US Justice Department has asked a federal judge to keep secret the names of two associates of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein who received six-figure payments from him in 2018, according to NBC News on Saturday.

The report said federal prosecutors argued in a Sept. 5 filing that the individuals, who were protected from prosecution under Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement in the state of Florida, should remain unidentified because they are “uncharged third parties” who objected to the disclosure.

Court documents show that Epstein wired $100,000 to one person Nov. 30, 2018, and $250,000 to another three days later. The payments were made after the Miami Herald newspaper published articles that were critical of Epstein’s plea deal, NBC reported.

The payments came to light in 2019, when prosecutors in New York opposed Epstein’s request for bail after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. At the time, prosecutors said the transfers suggested he was trying to influence potential witnesses. One of the recipients was later described in court filings as a longtime employee who helped coordinate encounters between Epstein and underage girls.

NBC News said it asked US District Judge Richard Berman to unseal the redacted names, arguing that Epstein is dead, the case has concluded and prosecutors have already ruled out bringing charges against other individuals.

In his response, US Attorney Jay Clayton wrote that both individuals expressed privacy concerns in letters submitted under seal. Berman has given NBC until Sept. 12 to reply to the Justice Department’s request. It is unclear when he will issue a ruling.

The House of Representatives Oversight Committee previously released more than 33,000 pages of Epstein-related documents, though most were heavily redacted or already public information.

Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. He had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution.

His survivors have demanded accountability and legal support to face their abusers and achieve justice.