Millions of new files relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released by the US Department of Justice, the largest number of documents shared by the government since a law mandated their release last year.
Three million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos were posted publicly on Friday.
The release came six weeks after the department missed a deadline signed into law by US President Donald Trump that mandated all Epstein-related documents be shared with the public.
“Today’s release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
The files include details about Jeffrey Epstein’s time in prison – including a psychological report – and his death while incarcerated, along with investigative records on Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate who was convicted of helping him traffic underaged girls.
They also include emails between Epstein and high-profile figures.
Many of the emails and documents go back more than a decade, showcasing Epstein’s relationships amid his legal troubles. He was convicted in 2008 in Florida for soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl after coming to a controversial plea agreement with prosecutors.
He died in August 2019 while in jail on charges in a sprawling sex trafficking case.
Epstein invited ‘The Duke’ to meet Russian woman
The documents shed light on the disgraced financier’s close association with Britain’s elite.
They include emails between Epstein and a person named “The Duke” – believed to be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – discussing having dinner at Buckingham Palace, where there was “lots of privacy”.
Another message from Epstein includes an offer to introduce “The Duke” to a 26-year-old Russian woman.
The emails are signed “A”, with a signature that appears to read “HRH Duke of York KG”. They were exchanged in August 2010, two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor.
The emails do not indicate any wrongdoing.
The BBC has contacted Andrew, formerly known as the Duke of York, for a response. Mountbatten-Windsor has faced years of scrutiny over his past friendship with Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Some emails in the latest release appear to be between Epstein and Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife.
One email dated 4 April 2009, was signed “Love, Sarah, The red Head.!!”
It says that she was going to be in Palm Beach and wanted to have tea. The email goes on to discuss ideas for Ferguson’s company, Mother’s Army. The former Duchess of York refers to Epstein as “My dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey”.
She calls him a “legend” and says “I am so proud of you”.
The financier was still under house arrest for his 2008 conviction when the email exchange was sent.
Epstein sent money to Mandelson’s husband
Other emails show Epstein sent £10,000 ($13,692) to Lord Peter Mandelson’s husband Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2009.
In an email to Epstein, da Silva sets out the costs of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details and thanks the financier for “anything you can help me with”.
Epstein replies a few hours later saying he would wire the loan amount and da Silva, who married Mandelson in 2023, replies with a thank you the following day.
In another batch of emails, Lord Mandelson asks to stay at one of Epstein’s properties.
The emails are from 16 June 2009, when Epstein was serving a prison sentence for soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18. For much of his sentence, Epstein was allowed to work from his office during the day and returned to jail each night.
In December 2024, Lord Mandelson was appointed as the UK’s ambassador to the US, but was sacked less than a year later when it emerged he had sent supportive messages to Epstein following the conviction.
Lord Mandelson has repeatedly said he regrets his past friendship with Epstein, which has long been public knowledge. He has said he never saw any wrongdoing while with Epstein and “fell for his lies”.