New Mexico Takes Legal Action Against DOJ Over Epstein Investigation

WHO:

NBC News - New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is leading the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

NBC News - Jeffrey Epstein is the central figure in the investigation, with Ghislaine Maxwell also mentioned as a close associate.

WHAT:

NBC News - The state released a report stating that "those directly responsible for protecting New Mexicans relied on others to do their job," including federal prosecutors in New York.

NBC News - The lawsuit claims that the DOJ and Todd Blanche "were hiding information about Epstein and his co-conspirators."

NBC News - The lawsuit references a Justice Department prosecution memo that describes a sexual assault at Zorro Ranch by a woman who was not Ghislaine Maxwell.

NBC News - The property formerly known as Zorro Ranch has been renamed San Rafael Ranch by the family of Don Huffines, who plans to operate a Christian retreat there.

NBC News - The lawsuit claims that the DOJ and Todd Blanche "actively harms victims and undermines the public interest."

NBC News - The state released a report stating that federal prosecutors "never prioritized New Mexicans," focusing instead on Epstein’s misdeeds in other jurisdictions.

NBC News - The lawsuit references a Justice Department prosecution memo that describes a sexual assault at Zorro Ranch by a woman who was not Ghislaine Maxwell.

NBC News - Torrez stated, “We have provided them with ample legal justifications” for releasing the files.

NBC News - Survivors of Epstein’s abuse stated, “The DOJ’s argument that it won’t hand over files in order to protect survivors’ identities is laughable, when the DOJ has already revealed their names and personal information.”

NBC News - The lawsuit claims that the DOJ and Todd Blanche "have faced sustained resistance" to information-sharing that had previously occurred between state and federal investigators.

NBC News - The lawsuit references a Justice Department prosecution memo that describes a sexual assault at Zorro Ranch by a woman who was not Ghislaine Maxwell.

NBC News - Torrez stated, “We have heard repeatedly they will cooperate and what our team has experienced is anything but cooperation.”

NBC News - Torrez said, “Todd Blanche today with a stroke of a pen could grant us the access that he claimed.”

NBC News - New Mexico's attorney general filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., accusing the DOJ of blocking the state's investigation into sex crimes at Epstein's ranch.

NBC News - The lawsuit seeks judicial intervention to compel the federal government to provide materials to New Mexico's investigators.

NBC News - The state released a report stating that federal prosecutors focused on Epstein's offenses in other jurisdictions while neglecting New Mexico.

NBC News - Torrez stated that his office has made 10 separate requests for key information from the DOJ, which have been ignored or denied.

WHERE:

NBC News - Epstein purchased Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King.

NBC News - The investigation pertains to Epstein's ranch, Zorro Ranch, located near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

NBC News - The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

NBC News - Epstein took his own life in a federal jail in New York City in August 2019.

NBC News - Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking charges.

NBC News - Epstein's estate sold Zorro Ranch in 2023.

WHY:

NBC News - The lawsuit argues that New Mexico is one of the few jurisdictions that may still be able to hold Epstein’s associates accountable or provide justice to survivors.

NBC News - The lawsuit claims that the DOJ's actions "actively harms victims and undermines the public interest."

NBC News - Torrez accused the DOJ of hiding behind the Epstein survivors to justify withholding information.

HOW:

NBC News - The Justice Department stated it "remains available to assist New Mexico’s investigation consistent with the law and binding court orders."

NBC News - The Justice Department stated it is not releasing some information because New Mexico has provided no lawful basis to justify such sweeping disclosures.

NBC News - The Justice Department stated it is not releasing some information due to federal court orders that prohibit disclosing “victim-identifying information carte blanche.”

NBC News - The DOJ stated it is not releasing some information due to federal court orders that prohibit disclosing victim-identifying information.

NBC News - Torrez criticized the DOJ for failing to cooperate, stating, “Instead they have decided to stonewall, to obstruct and to frankly conceal for whatever reason.”

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:31 UTC)

A new report from the state reveals that those responsible for protecting New Mexicans relied on others to fulfill their duties, including federal prosecutors in New York. The lawsuit claims that the Department of Justice and attorney Todd Blanche were concealing information about Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, referencing a memo that details a sexual assault at the property formerly known as Zorro Ranch, which has now been renamed San Rafael Ranch by Don Huffines, who intends to turn it into a Christian retreat. The Justice Department has stated that it remains available to assist New Mexico’s investigation in accordance with the law and binding court orders.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 08:16 UTC)

A new lawsuit claims that the Department of Justice and Todd Blanche are actively harming victims and undermining the public interest, as federal prosecutors allegedly focused on Jeffrey Epstein's misdeeds outside New Mexico rather than prioritizing local victims. The lawsuit also references a Justice Department memo detailing a sexual assault incident at Zorro Ranch involving a woman who was not Ghislaine Maxwell, while survivors of Epstein's abuse criticized the DOJ's argument for withholding files as laughable, given that their identities have already been revealed. In response, the Justice Department stated it will not release certain information because New Mexico has not provided a lawful basis for such extensive disclosures.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 01:15 UTC)

A new lawsuit claims that the Department of Justice and attorney Todd Blanche have encountered significant resistance in sharing information that was previously accessible between state and federal investigators. The suit references a Justice Department memo detailing a sexual assault at Zorro Ranch, which was owned by Epstein, and emphasizes that New Mexico may be one of the few places left to seek justice for survivors and hold Epstein's associates accountable. Attorney Torrez expressed frustration, stating that despite claims of cooperation, the experience has been quite the opposite, and he urged Blanche to grant access to the information needed to move forward.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 23:52 UTC)

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is leading a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing them of obstructing the state's investigation into sex crimes at Jeffrey Epstein's ranch, Zorro Ranch, near Santa Fe. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., seeks judicial intervention to compel the federal government to provide crucial materials that Torrez claims have been ignored or denied despite ten separate requests. Torrez has criticized the DOJ for failing to cooperate, stating that their actions "actively harm victims and undermine the public interest," while the DOJ maintains that some information cannot be released due to federal court orders protecting victim identities.