The Justice Department and the FBI have released a memo stating that they found no evidence of a ‘client list’ related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, nor any indication that he had blackmailed prominent associates.
This announcement follows an exhaustive review of Epstein’s files, which concluded that the financier died by suicide, aligning with previous findings from various investigations. The two-page memo aims to clarify and resolve ongoing public skepticism regarding Epstein’s case, particularly surrounding the circumstances of his death.
Epstein died in August 2019 at a federal jail in New York City while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His death sparked numerous conspiracy theories, particularly among those on the far right, who highlighted his connections to many wealthy and influential figures.
Axios, the first to report on the memo, highlighted that the findings contradict earlier statements made by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had suggested the existence of a client list.
In February, Bondi disclosed a limited number of documents related to the Epstein investigation, promoting this release as part of the administration’s commitment to transparency regarding Epstein’s criminal activities. During a Fox News interview that same month, she asserted that a client list was available on her desk for review.
However, after a thorough investigation, the latest departmental memo explicitly states: “This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’ There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
When questioned about the discrepancy between Bondi’s previous comments and the memo’s findings, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify the situation. She downplayed the differences, explaining that Bondi was referring to the entirety of Epstein-related paperwork, not just a client list.
Leavitt affirmed that both Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel had committed to conducting an exhaustive review of materials linked to Epstein, fulfilling a pledge made at President Donald Trump’s direction. She characterized the findings as a form of transparency.
The memo elaborates on the findings regarding Epstein’s death, reiterating that he died by suicide on August 10, 2019, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. These conclusions align with those of the city’s chief medical examiner, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Manhattan, and the DOJ’s inspector general.
Additionally, the memo highlights that video surveillance footage from the prison confirmed that no one entered Epstein’s cell block during the critical hours leading up to his death. The memo states:
“Anyone entering or attempting to enter the tier where Epstein’s cell was located … would have been captured by this footage. The FBI’s independent review of this footage confirmed that from the time Epstein was locked in his cell at around 10:40 pm on August 9, 2019, until around 6:30 am the next morning, nobody entered any of the tiers.”
Both Director Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino had previously raised questions regarding the official narrative surrounding Epstein and his death. Since assuming their roles within the bureau, they have publicly espoused the conclusion that Epstein committed suicide, facing backlash from conspiracy theorists online who continue to contest that explanation.
The memo also mentions that there are over 1,000 victims of Epstein’s abuse, emphasizing the importance of protecting sensitive information about these individuals. It reiterates the commitment to combating child exploitation and ensuring justice for victims, while cautioning against perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein that serve neither cause.
image source from：npr
