Florida’s state legislature has unanimously passed a bill that would require the public release of transcripts from the 2006 grand jury investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and allegations he assaulted underage girls. If signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, the law would force the release of the transcripts after July 1st, when it takes effect. However, a lawsuit by the Palm Beach Post could result in a court order releasing the grand jury documents sooner.
The bill, if signed into law, would allow for the release of grand jury records and documents if they pertain to sexual assault or abuse of a legal minor or if the investigation’s subject is deceased. Governor Ron DeSantis said he intends to sign the bill into law. “All files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity should be made public,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “While the federal government continues to stonewall accountability, I’m glad the Legislature has taken action to release the grand jury material from the Florida state case.”
A release of the Epstein grand jury documents could come sooner, however. A 2019 lawsuit by the Palm Beach Post against the Palm Beach County state attorney and the court clerk is working its way through an appeals process. In 2021, a state circuit judge ruled the court lacked legal authority to order the release of the grand jury transcripts.
However, a Florida appeals court intervened last year, ruling that the materials could be released if it was in the “furtherance of justice.” Despite the appeals court ruling ordering the lower court to release the Epstein transcripts after making necessary redactions, the circuit court has yet to act.
Epstein was found dead after apparently hanging himself in his prison cell in 2019.
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