DOJ to release nearly 50K removed Epstein files after review

The Justice Department says it has not permanently removed Jeffrey Epstein files, but took some down to redact sensitive information.

The Justice Department said it would return nearly 50,000 documents this week to the publicly available Epstein files. The files, which had previously been released and posted online by federal officials, drew scrutiny when they were removed without notice after news organizations flagged them for exposing sensitive content.

The department confirmed that some of the files exposed sensitive content; they were not removed permanently and will be reposted with redactions.

"The Department has not deleted any files from the library. In compliance with the (Epstein Files Transparency Act), our team is working around the clock to address victim concerns, redact personally identifiable information and any images of a sexual nature," the department said in a March 5 statement to USA TODAY.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the Justice Department to release all of the investigatory files it held related to disgraced financier and sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of sexually assaulting more than 1,000 women and girls. He died by suicide in custody while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

The department released about 3 million of the 6 million pages in its possession, and has stood firm against congressional demands to release the rest.