Journalist Katie Phang has filed a lawsuit against acting attorney general Todd Blanche, accusing the Department of Justice (DOJ) of a "brazen, shocking, and ongoing violation" of a transparency law requiring the release of all documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The suit, filed Monday in Washington DC federal court, seeks to hold Blanche personally responsible for the alleged failure to publish the complete Epstein files as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November with a December 19 deadline.
Allegations of Misconduct
Phang, an investigative journalist and legal analyst, alleges that Blanche has missed statutory deadlines, made improper redactions, failed to explain redactions, and withheld or retracted key documents. The DOJ has released only a fraction of the papers, with Democrats accusing the department of a "full-blown cover-up" after Blanche declared the investigation over following a final release of about 3 million previously unseen papers in February. Critics, including House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin, have noted "tons of completely unnecessary redactions" and failures to protect victim identities.
Background and Context
Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence. The scandal has damaged the White House due to Donald Trump's past association with Epstein. Phang's lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, demands the court declare the DOJ in violation of the law, order release of all required documents without unlawful redactions, and appoint an independent special master to oversee compliance.
Impact on Journalism
Phang, a reporter for MeidasTouch, argues that the DOJ's actions have harmed her ability to report on Epstein's network and the government's handling of the case. She asserts that incomplete and improperly redacted records undermine both her work and the public's right to transparency. The lawsuit emphasizes that the transparency law was intended to aid journalists and inform the public while delivering accountability.
Legal and Political Reactions
The DOJ's Office of the Inspector General has launched its own audit into compliance with the act. Congressman Ro Khanna, a co-author of the law, called the lawsuit "historic" and described the situation as "one of the biggest coverups in the history of our nation." A hearing date has not yet been set. The Guardian has contacted the DOJ for comment.
