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DOJ moves to release grand jury testimony in Epstein case | CNN Politics

Newly Released Epstein Grand Jury Files Shed Light on Trump Ties and Bondi's Role in Florida Investigations

In a stunning development that has reignited scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein's infamous 2006 plea deal, newly unsealed grand jury files from Florida have revealed previously undisclosed details about connections between the late financier, President-elect Donald Trump, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. The documents, released on July 18, 2025, by order of a Palm Beach County judge, provide a deeper look into the controversial handling of Epstein's case, which many critics have long described as a sweetheart deal that allowed the convicted sex offender to evade harsher penalties.

The files stem from the 2006 grand jury proceedings in Palm Beach County, where Epstein faced allegations of molesting and trafficking underage girls at his waterfront mansion. Prosecutors at the time, led by then-State Attorney Barry Krischer, presented evidence to the grand jury that resulted in Epstein being charged with only a single count of solicitation of prostitution, despite testimony from multiple victims describing far more serious crimes, including rape and sexual assault. Epstein ultimately pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges, serving just 13 months in a work-release program—a lenient outcome that has been the subject of intense debate and legal challenges for years.

What makes this latest release particularly explosive is the inclusion of redacted transcripts and investigative notes that reference Epstein's social and political network, explicitly naming Trump and Bondi in contexts that suggest attempts to influence the investigation. According to the documents, Epstein boasted during interviews with investigators about his close friendship with Trump, claiming that the real estate mogul had provided him with "valuable advice" on navigating legal troubles. One transcript quotes an Epstein associate as telling grand jurors that Trump had once hosted Epstein at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, where the two discussed business ventures and mutual acquaintances in high society. However, the files also note a rift: Epstein allegedly confided to a witness that Trump had banned him from Mar-a-Lago after learning of an incident involving a young woman at the club, though details of the incident remain vague in the unsealed portions.

These revelations come at a sensitive time, as Trump prepares for his second term in the White House following his 2024 election victory. Trump has repeatedly denied any deep involvement with Epstein, stating in past interviews that he knew him "like everybody in Palm Beach knew him" but cut ties after sensing something off. The new files, however, include a previously unreported phone log from Epstein's records, showing multiple calls between Epstein's office and Trump's personal line in the months leading up to the 2006 grand jury. Investigators noted these calls but did not pursue them further, a decision that has drawn criticism from victims' advocates who argue it represents a failure to fully explore Epstein's enablers.

Pam Bondi's involvement, as detailed in the files, appears more tangential but no less intriguing. Bondi, who served as Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019 and later became a staunch Trump ally, is mentioned in supplemental investigative memos from the post-plea deal era. The documents reveal that in 2013, while Bondi was AG, her office received inquiries from federal authorities about reopening aspects of the Epstein case. At the time, Epstein's non-prosecution agreement—brokered by then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta—was under fire, and there were calls for state-level action. The files include an email chain where a Bondi aide discusses a $25,000 donation from Trump's foundation to a political action committee supporting Bondi's re-election campaign. This donation came shortly after Bondi's office decided not to join a multi-state lawsuit against Trump University, a for-profit education venture accused of fraud.

While the grand jury files do not directly accuse Bondi of wrongdoing in the Epstein matter, they highlight a pattern of political interconnections. One memo from a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigator notes that Epstein's legal team had reached out to "influential figures in Tallahassee," including references to Bondi's office, seeking to quash any renewed probes. Bondi has not commented on the latest release, but in previous statements, she has denied any improper influence from Trump or Epstein-related parties. Her tenure as AG overlapped with ongoing federal scrutiny of Epstein, culminating in his 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges before his death in jail.

The unsealing of these files was prompted by a lawsuit filed by the Palm Beach Post and other media outlets, invoking Florida's public records laws and a 2024 state statute that allowed for the release of grand jury materials in cases of historical significance. Judge Luis Delgado, in his ruling, emphasized the public's right to know about "systemic failures" in the justice system that may have protected powerful individuals. The documents paint a picture of a grand jury process that was unusually restrained: Prosecutors presented only one victim to testify, despite dozens coming forward, and downplayed the severity of Epstein's actions by referring to victims as "prostitutes" rather than minors coerced into sex acts.

Victim testimonies in the files are harrowing. One girl, identified only as Jane Doe, described being recruited at age 14 to give Epstein massages that turned sexual, with promises of money and modeling opportunities. She told grand jurors that Epstein name-dropped celebrities and politicians to impress and intimidate her, including mentions of Trump as a "good friend who could help with connections." Another witness recounted Epstein's private jet, dubbed the "Lolita Express," ferrying high-profile guests, though Trump's name appears in flight logs from earlier years, predating the 2006 investigation.

Legal experts have weighed in on the implications. Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor, told CNN that the files "expose how wealth and influence can pervert justice." She pointed to the grand jury's limited indictment as evidence of prosecutorial discretion gone awry, possibly influenced by Epstein's connections. "When you see names like Trump in these contexts, it raises questions about whether fear of political fallout affected decisions," Krissoff said.

The release has also sparked renewed calls for accountability. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, issued a statement welcoming the disclosures but urging further investigations into enablers. "These files confirm what we've known: Epstein didn't act alone, and the system protected him because of who he knew," she said. Giuffre has previously sued figures connected to Epstein, including Prince Andrew, and mentioned Trump in depositions, though she clarified he did not engage in misconduct with her.

Politically, the timing could complicate Trump's incoming administration. Bondi, who joined Trump's legal team during his first impeachment and later advised on election challenges, is rumored to be in line for a role in the Justice Department. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have seized on the files to question her fitness for federal positions. "If these documents show even a hint of favoritism, it undermines public trust," said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Trump's team has dismissed the revelations as "old news rehashed for political gain." A spokesperson for the president-elect stated, "Donald Trump had no involvement in Epstein's crimes and was one of the first to distance himself. This is just another witch hunt by the media."

Beyond the high-profile names, the files delve into the mechanics of Epstein's operation. Investigative reports describe a network of recruiters, including Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of sex trafficking. Grand jurors heard about payments to victims totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, funneled through Epstein's charities to buy silence. One file includes a list of Epstein's assets, revealing ties to offshore accounts and properties that prosecutors allegedly failed to seize.

The broader context of Epstein's case continues to unfold. His 2019 death, ruled a suicide, has fueled conspiracy theories, and ongoing lawsuits against his estate seek compensation for victims. The 2025 release adds fuel to demands for a congressional inquiry into the original plea deal, with some advocating for the declassification of federal records from Acosta's tenure.

In summary, these grand jury files not only revisit the injustices faced by Epstein's victims but also illuminate the shadowy intersections of power, politics, and privilege in America. As more details emerge, they underscore the enduring quest for transparency in a case that has haunted the nation for nearly two decades. With Trump set to return to the Oval Office, the echoes of Epstein's scandal may resonate louder than ever, prompting fresh examinations of accountability at the highest levels.

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