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Epstein Estate Denies Withholding Records as FBI Scrambles to Meet Transparency Deadline

08:41 PM, 11/26/2025
Epstein Estate Denies Withholding Records as FBI Scrambles to Meet Transparency Deadline

The Epstein estate has denied FBI Director Kash Patel’s claim that it refused to hand over documents, saying it is unaware of any DOJ requests and noting it provided more than 20,000 pages to House Oversight. Patel says the FBI is racing to meet a 30-day deadline set by the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" signed on November 19, but warned that court orders may limit disclosure. Both sides say they are cooperating with legal requirements as the bureau balances transparency with protecting victims and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

The estate of Jeffrey Epstein has pushed back against FBI Director Kash Patel's claim that it refused to cooperate with federal investigators ahead of a court-ordered release of files related to the late convicted sex offender.

In an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge, Patel said the documents in the government’s possession and those held by the Epstein estate represented "two separate boxes of information," and claimed the estate had declined requests to share materials with the U.S. government.

"Those are two separate boxes of information and the Epstein estate has not been willing to share information with the U.S. government. Even though we’ve requested them to do so," Patel said.

A spokesman for the estate rejected Patel’s characterization, saying the estate is unaware of any Department of Justice requests for additional materials and does not know what files the FBI or DOJ already hold beyond the items seized from Epstein’s residences after his 2019 arrest.

"The Epstein estate has no idea what information the FBI or the Department of Justice has available to them, in addition to materials the FBI took from Mr. Epstein's residences after his arrest in 2019. However, FBI Director Patel is incorrect when he claims that the estate has refused the DOJ’s requests for information—we are unaware of any such requests," the estate's spokesman said.

The estate noted that it recently provided more than 20,000 pages of documents to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, including emails involving Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. The estate said it has "always cooperated with lawful requests for information."

President Donald Trump signed the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on November 19, a law that requires the attorney general to release unclassified Department of Justice documents related to Epstein within 30 days. Patel told Herridge the FBI was working to meet that deadline but cautioned that some court orders may legally bar disclosure of certain investigative materials.

"We will redact as little information as possible," Patel said, adding that the bureau must also protect victims and their rights.

Patel rejected suggestions the probe would target only one political party. "We’ll just follow the facts," he said.

After the bill was signed, Trump posted on his social platform asserting Epstein’s political ties and naming several public figures he said were connected to Epstein. The recently released estate emails also referenced Trump; in one exchange, Epstein described his former acquaintance as a "maniac" showing signs of "early dementia" and claimed there was "not one decent cell in his body."

The FBI was asked for comment; no immediate response was available.

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