Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee released a fresh set of photographs linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, just hours before a deadline for the US Justice Department to make public all files in its possession related to the case.
The 68 images were published on Thursday and form a small portion of more than 95,000 photos that committee Democrats say they are currently reviewing. According to the committee, the images were shared to give the public a clearer view of the material collected from Epstein’s estate and to shed light on his activities and connections.
Committee members said the released photos were chosen as a representative sample. They added that thousands of additional images remain under examination, ranging from ordinary photographs to material that is disturbing in nature.
Importantly, Democrats stressed that there is no allegation of wrongdoing against individuals appearing in the images, and the full context behind many of the photos remains unknown.
Among the newly released material is a screenshot of text messages that appear to discuss the price of a girl described as a teenager. The sender and recipient of the messages have not been identified, and the circumstances surrounding the exchange are unclear.
Several photos show handwritten text on a person’s body, including the neck, back, hip, chest, and foot. Some of the writing appears to quote passages from Lolita, a novel that is visible in the background of one image.
In a undated image, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is seen standing next to an unidentified woman. The committee clarified that the presence of public figures in the photos does not imply any illegal activity.
Another photograph shows Epstein inside his New York residence with three girls, whose identities have been concealed.
The release adds to ongoing public and political pressure for greater transparency in the Epstein case, as scrutiny intensifies over what information federal authorities hold and when it will be fully disclosed.
