Justice Department tracking which Epstein files lawmakers searching for, open, review: US Rep.

​​​​​​​By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Justice Department is tracking which documents related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are being searched for, opened and reviewed by members of Congress, Rep. Nancy Mace said Thursday.

“I was able to navigate the system today and I won't disclose how or the nature of how; but confirmed the DOJ is TAGGING ALL DOCUMENTS Members of Congress search, open and review,” the Republican from South Carolina wrote on US social media platform X.

“Based on how I confirmed this, there are timestamps associated with this tracking,” she added.

The agency released more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images last month under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law last November.

The files include the names of numerous high-profile men, including US President Donald Trump, US Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick, former British Prince Andrew, former US President Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Michael Jackson, Elon Musk and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates.​​​​​​​ A mention in the files does not necessarily mean the figures in question knew or were associated with Epstein.

Epstein survivors and victims’ relatives said the release falls short of what the law requires and omits much vital information.

Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He pleaded guilty in a court in the state of Florida and was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008, but critics call the relatively minor conviction a “sweetheart deal.”

His victims have alleged that he operated a sprawling sex trafficking network that was used by members of the wealthy and political elite.