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A newly released set of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein confirms that an FBI complaint was filed in 1996 alleging child pornography, a report that was not acted on for years. The Department of Justice this week released thousands of pages connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with additional documents expected.
Some lawmakers have criticized the pace of disclosure, noting that legislation required the full release of records within 30 days.
Among the newly disclosed materials is an FBI complaint submitted by Epstein victim and former employee Maria Farmer. The complaint, dated Sept. 3, 1996, lists the allegation as “child pornography” and describes Epstein having photographs taken of children near swimming pools.
All names in the document are redacted except for Epstein. Farmer did not receive a response to the complaint for several years, according to the records.
When The New York Times contacted her about the FBI complaint being included in the files, she “broke down in tears,” she said. “I’ve waited 30 years. I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
According to the complaint, Epstein asked Farmer, who was employed by him at the time, to photograph young girls at swimming pools. Farmer also reported that Epstein took photographs she said were intended for her personal artwork, including images of her underage sisters, some of whom were nude.
The complaint alleges Epstein threatened to burn down Farmer’s home if she disclosed the existence of the photographs. Farmer said she urged investigators to examine Epstein’s activities and his connections to wealthy and influential individuals across the country, Mediaite reported.
Farmer was eventually contacted by authorities roughly a decade after filing her complaint, when Epstein was under investigation in Florida for sex crimes.
Epstein later reached a plea agreement in the Florida case and was required to register as a sex offender. He died in 2019 in an apparent suicide while in federal custody awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Both Maria and her sister, Annie Farmer, have accused Epstein of sexual assault. Annie Farmer had a similar tearful reaction to the original FBI complaint being released. She was 16 when she alleged she was assaulted by Epstein.
“I have to say, it has been an emotional day and a way that I was not expecting,” Annie told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday. “You know, my sister, Maria Farmer, reported Epstein and his crimes in 1996. We’ve been saying that over and over again. And part of what was released today was an official FBI form.
“And I think it was an FD71 dated September 3rd, 1996 with my sister’s, some of my sister’s report. It was labeled under child pornography, and it described Epstein stealing photos of myself at the age of 16, of my younger sister, who was 12 at the time,” she continued.
“And just to see it in writing and to know that they had this document this entire time…and how many people were harmed after that date? It just, you know, we’ve been saying it over and over, but to see it in black and white that way has been very emotional,” she added.
Bill Clinton was president in 1996. Several photos of Clinton scantily dressed or with young women sitting on his lap were part of the Trump administration’s Epstein Files release ahead of last weekend.
Clinton’s spokesperson addressed the latest document release, with one photo showing Clinton relaxing in a hot tub with a woman who is believed to be a victim of sex trafficking. Her face has been redacted, suggesting that she might be a victim of sex trafficking and/or possibly a minor.
“The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton. This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever,” the spokesperson claimed without actually addressing any context related to Clinton and the mystery woman/women.
