Epstein victims plead with Congress to release all files

WASHINGTON — Victims of Jeffrey Epstein are pleading with lawmakers to vote on releasing the full Justice Department investigation into the convicted sex offender’s dealings — even as top Republicans in Congress are wary to release the documents in full.

Several survivors of the uncovered sex trafficking ring gathered on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to address the media and to press for the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would direct the DOJ to release all materials related to its investigation into Epstein and make it readily available to the public. The bill is being led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., despite pushback from party leaders not to interfere with other congressional investigations into the matter.

“This is not a hoax. This is real. There are real survivors,” Massie told reporters. “There are real victims to this criminal enterprise, and the perpetrators are being protected because they’re rich and powerful and political donors to the establishment here in Washington, D.C. So today, we’re standing with these survivors.”

The press conference comes after Massie filed what is known as a discharge petition on Tuesday, which would allow the Kentucky Republican to force a vote on his resolution even without leadership’s approval. To do so, Massie needs 218 signatures — meaning at least six Republicans would need to buck President Donald Trump’s wishes to support the measure.

So far, only four Republicans have done so: Massie along with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

“I find it interesting that the three Republican co-sponsors are women. These are women standing up for women, and Marjorie was the first to do it,” Massie said. “And I think she deserves all of our gratitude for breaking that barrier and leading the way for the other Republicans. Hopefully they can find their spines as well.”

Victims share personal stories working for Epstein — some for the first time

Several victims huddled together amid a large group of reporters and public onlookers as they shared the gruesome details of being recruited by Epstein and others in his circle.

The survivors were flanked by their attorneys Bradley Edwards and Christine Henderson, well-known lawyers for those who were abused by Epstein and who led lawsuits directly responsible for his conviction. The attorneys walked through the case of Courtney Wild, who approached Edwards in 2008 after she discovered she was part of a federal investigation into the Epstein trafficking ring — but was frustrated she was not being asked to testify.

“All she wanted was the government to talk to her,” Edwards said. “Little did she know the government had worked out a secret immunity deal for Jeffrey Epstein, and we had to file ‘Jane Doe versus United States of America’ to prove that Jeffrey Epstein worked out an illegal non-prosecution agreement with the government.”

Each of the survivors detailed how they were recruited as young girls by other peers around their age. They’d be asked to “give a massage to an older man” and after doing so, Epstein would tell them to recruit someone else, according to the survivors.

“For so many years, it felt like Epstein’s criminal behavior was an open secret,” Annie Farmer, who said she first met Epstein when she was 16 years old. “Not only did many others participate in the abuse, it is clear that many were aware of his interest in girls and very young women, and chose to look the other way because it benefited them to do so.”

Marina Lacerda also shared her story with reporters, marking the first time she has ever spoken publicly about her experience.

“I was working three jobs to try to support my mom and my sister,” Lacerda recalled. “When a friend of mine in the neighborhood told me that I could make $300 to give another guy a massage, it went from a dream job to the worst nightmare.”

Lacerda said she was encouraged to drop out of high school so she could continue going over to Epstein’s home, resulting in a loss of education.

“I hoped that he would offer me a real job as one of his assistants, or something important,” she said. “That day never came. I had no way out — until he finally told me that I was too old.”

Victims say release of documents is crucial to accountability

As lawmakers have continued to receive calls from the public to release the full Epstein files, GOP leaders have been cautious not to do so haphazardly. In fact, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has repeatedly pushed back against Massie’s petition with arguments it could put victims at risk.

“We also want to be equally certain that we protect the victims,” Johnson said, asserting that Massie’s bill doesn’t protect their identities — a charge Massie has rejected.

“We were very careful to make sure that there is an exception, so that personally identifiable information, not just their names, but anything they can be identified by, would not be disclosed,” Massie said on Wednesday.

When asked if they’d be afraid of information being released, each of the victims said they wanted the full files made public.

“While we have seen the documents, you haven’t,” Edwards said. “And when you see the document, you’re going to be appalled.”

Survivors also argued that the documents in the DOJ’s possession had helped them piece together parts of their lives that they’ve been traumatized by.

“These women are real. We’re here in person to say that isn’t a hoax. It’s just not,” Haley Robson, another survivor, told reporters. “Please humanize us. I would like Donald J. Trump and every person in America and around the world to humanize us, to see us for who we are, and to hear us for what we have to say. There is no hoax. The abuse was real.”

Victims say they’ll create own list and continue pressure campaign

Even as pressure ramps up, GOP leaders are looking for alternatives to squash Massie’s effort.

GOP leaders scheduled a vote on a resolution to encourage the House Oversight Committee to continue its current investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — an inquiry that has already resulted in the Justice Department handing over thousands of pages to lawmakers last month.

Doing so would only require the Oversight Committee to publish the documents that are handed over by the DOJ — whereas Massie is pushing for the DOJ itself to release all documents in its possession.

The resolution would be mostly symbolic and serve as a political cover for Republicans who have faced accusations from their Democratic counterparts that they are shielding prominent celebrities or politicians who were linked to Epstein.

Massie has already said such a move would not stop him for pushing for the full release, arguing the documents being handed over to the Oversight Committee is “less than 1%” of the total materials.

Survivors indicated they would not let up either, telling reporters on Wednesday they are working to compile their own list of names based on clients that victims personally interacted with in “Epstein world.” It’s not clear if that list will eventually be made public, but it will be used as a way for victims who have not yet come forward to provide further information.

“We know the names,” said Lisa Phillips, who testified in front of reporters on Wednesday. “Stay tuned for more details.”