Millions of new documents relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released by the US Department of Justice, representing the largest amount of material shared by the US government since the law mandated their release last year.
Three million pages, 180.000 photos and 2.000 videos were made public on Friday, according to the BBC.
The announcement came six weeks after the Department missed a deadline set by a law signed by US President Donald Trump that required all documents related to Epstein to be made public.
"Today's announcement marks the end of a very comprehensive identification and document review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance with the law," said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch.
The files include details about Epstein's time in prison, including a psychological report, and his death while in custody, as well as investigative files on Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate convicted of aiding and abetting the trafficking of underage girls.
They also contain emails between Epstein and high-profile figures, according to the BBC.
Many of the emails and documents date back more than a decade, showing Epstein's connections and relationships during his legal troubles. He was convicted in Florida in 2008 of soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl after a controversial plea deal with prosecutors.
Epstein died in August 2019 while in custody, charged in a major human trafficking case for sexual exploitation.
Epstein invited "The Duke" to meet a Russian woman
The documents shed new light on the disgraced financier's close ties to the British elite.
They contain emails between Epstein and a person named "The Duke", believed to be Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, in which they discuss a dinner at Buckingham Palace, where there was "a lot of privacy".
In one message, Epstein offers to introduce "The Duke" to a 26-year-old Russian woman.
The emails are signed "A," with a signature that appears to read "HRH Duke of York KG." They were exchanged in August 2010, two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from a minor.
The emails do not indicate any criminal offense.
The BBC says it has contacted Andrew, formerly known as the Duke of York, for comment. He has denied any connection to Epstein's crimes for years.
Some emails in the latest batch appear to be correspondence between Epstein and Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife.
In an email dated April 4, 2009, Ferguson wrote that he would be in Palm Beach and wanted to have tea. He called Epstein "my dear, spectacular, and special friend Jeffrey."
She calls him a "legend" and says, "I'm so proud of you."
At that point, Epstein was still under house arrest due to a 2008 conviction.
Epstein sent money to Mandelson's wife
Other emails show that Epstein sent £10.000 to Lord Peter Mandelson's wife, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in 2009.
In the email, Da Silva lists the cost of the osteopathy course, provides bank details, and thanks Epstein for his help.
Epstein replies a few hours later that he will send the money, and da Silva thanks him the next day.
In another correspondence, Mandelson asks to stay at one of Epstein's properties.
The emails are from June 2009, when Epstein was serving a prison sentence for soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18.
In December 2024, Mandelson was appointed as the UK's ambassador to the US, but was removed less than a year later when it was revealed that he had sent messages of support to Epstein after the verdict.
Mandelson has repeatedly said he regrets the friendship and claims he saw no illegal behavior.
Trump is mentioned hundreds of times.
The US president is mentioned hundreds of times in the new documents. Trump was previously on friendly terms with Epstein, but claims they parted ways a long time ago and denies any knowledge of his crimes, according to the BBC.
Among the documents is an FBI list of alleged allegations against Trump that were reported by citizens through a tip line, often without evidence.
The Justice Department says some of the documents contained "false and sensationalist claims" filed just before the 2020 election.
"The allegations are unfounded and false," the Ministry said.
Elon Musk asked about the "craziest party" on the island
The documents also include emails between Epstein and Elon Musk.
Musk previously said that Epstein invited him to the island, but that he declined.
Emails from November 2012 show Musk asking, "What night will the wildest party be on your island?"
Epstein asks him how many people he needs to transport by helicopter, and Musk replies that he would only go with his then-wife, Talulah Riley.
There is no evidence that Musk ever visited the island.
Bill Gates dismisses claims as "absurd and false"
A spokesman for Bill Gates dismissed the allegations in the documents as "absurd and completely false."
The emails allegedly written by Epstein claim that Gates had a sexually transmitted disease, which Gates' team denies.
"These documents only demonstrate Epstein's frustration at not having a relationship with Gates and how far he was willing to go to compromise him," the spokesman said.
Have all of Epstein's files been released?
It is not certain whether this is the end of the release of Epstein documents, according to the BBC.
Blanche said the announcement "marks the end of a very comprehensive process."
However, Democrats claim that the Department has withheld about 2,5 million more documents without justification.
Congressman Roh Kana warned that the DOJ has identified over six million pages, but is only releasing about 3,5 million after redactions.
The documents contain many redacted sections. The law allows redactions only for the protection of victims or active investigations.
Blanche acknowledged that the announcement will not satisfy everyone who believes there is a conspiracy to protect the rich and powerful associated with Epstein.
"I don't think the public will find the names of men who abused women in these files, unfortunately," he said.
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