New Mexico Establishes Truth Commission to Investigate Epstein's Zorro Ranch Abuse Allegations
New Mexico has officially approved the creation of a "truth commission" dedicated to investigating allegations of abuse at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro ranch, located near Stanley. This legislative move, enacted on Monday, aims to compel testimony and uncover the full extent of activities at the 10,000-acre property, responding to persistent calls for transparency regarding the late financier's crimes.
Background and Legislative Action
The decision follows the recent release of millions of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice, which has reignited public interest in Epstein's sprawling ranch outside Santa Fe. Multiple women and girls have reported being sexually abused on the premises, yet law enforcement attention has historically been minimal. Unlike Epstein's other properties—such as his New York townhouse, Caribbean island, Palm Beach mansion, and Paris apartment—the Zorro ranch has not been subjected to federal searches, according to state and local officials.
Andrea Romero, a Democratic state House representative who sponsored the legislation, emphasized that the commission will utilize subpoena power, testimony, and official records to piece together the complete narrative. The subcommittee, mandated to include four representatives from each major political party, is allocated a $2 million budget and is scheduled to operate through 2026.
Historical Context and Prosecutorial Challenges
Hector Balderas, who served as New Mexico's attorney general at the time of Epstein's arrest in July 2019, stated that his office initially investigated activities in the state that were viable for prosecution, including contact with multiple victims. However, federal prosecutors in New York requested a halt to further state investigations, citing their ongoing multi-jurisdictional prosecution. Emails released in late January confirm that Balderas' office agreed to cease its probe and share gathered information on sex trafficking with federal authorities.
A December 2019 email from a prosecutor to the co-executor of Epstein's estate revealed that federal agents had not searched the New Mexico property, and there appear to have been no state or local law enforcement investigations into the ranch's activities.
Funding and Broader Implications
The commission is funded by a settlement between the New Mexico attorney general and Deutsche Bank, stemming from an investigation into financial institutions' failure to identify sexual abuse and trafficking of underage girls at the Zorro Ranch. This initiative is part of broader efforts by lawmakers to understand how Epstein allegedly abused teen girls with near-impunity for years.
In November, the federal Epstein Files Transparency Act was passed, mandating the release of all Justice Department files related to Epstein. Former President Donald Trump, who once considered Epstein a friend, signed the act into law after facing political backlash for his administration's handling of the files. During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to release the documents but later attempted to avoid doing so, repeatedly dismissing the Epstein controversy as a hoax.
New Mexico residents, as Romero noted, deserve to know the truth about what transpired at the Zorro Ranch and who was aware of it. This truth commission represents a critical step toward accountability and justice in the ongoing saga of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
