Don’t cover yourself with fame in the Epstein case: US Attorney General Pam Bondi.Image: keystone
The criticism of the US Department of Justice in its handling of the publication of the Epstein files continues: Now one of Epstein’s victims has come forward – unlike many others, her name is openly shown in the files.
Dec 23, 2025, 06:52Dec 23, 2025, 06:56
The US Department of Justice headed by Pam Bondi has been pilloried for days in connection with the (partial) publication of the Epstein files. In addition to allegations of lack of transparency and manipulation, there is now also criticism of sloppy working methods and possible violations of the law. Because: A victim of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is mentioned by her real name several times in the published files. That reports CNN.
The woman contacted the US broadcaster and drew attention to the serious lapse. She was “horrified” about it. The victim, whom CNN does not refer to by name for her protection, but rather under the pseudonym “Jane Doe” that is common in the USA for those affected in criminal cases, became a victim of Epstein in 2009. She reported the abuse to the FBI that same year. At that time, Epstein had already been convicted for the first time, but was allowed to spend a large part of his sentence in prison – during this time, according to statements from those affected, he again sexually assaulted young women.
After the files were published, Jane Doe intervened by email with the US Department of Justice on Friday to have her name redacted. But the efforts have so far been unsuccessful; her name could still be found in the documents on Monday. Doe tells CNN that the US Department of Justice’s gross blunder particularly affects her because it further weakens trust in the agency. It shows that victims cannot currently rely on the US authorities:
«I’m so emotionally touched because it’s not just about me and what happened. I’m very worried about the little girl who is calling the FBI asking for help. I’m so scared for her because if I have to go through all of this now… I’m at a loss for words. I’m simply speechless. It breaks my heart. It haunts me to my core.”
Shortly after the documents were released on Friday, victim advocates complained that the Ministry of Justice had been sloppy in publishing them and that the victim’s perspective had not been taken into account enough during processing. In addition to inadequate protection of identities, it is also difficult for victims to find concrete information that relates to their own case in the mountain of documents.
The case that has now become known is particularly serious because the released documents were actually blacked out to a large extent. Critics accuse the US government of using this method to undermine information, possibly about prominent names in the Epstein files. It seems all the more worrying that the names of Epstein’s victims were not carefully censored. The authorities would even be legally obliged to do this – in contrast to possible protection of prominent names.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice briefly commented on the new allegations. The ministry and the public prosecutor’s office are making great efforts to protect the victims through redactions. We are in contact with the victims and their lawyers. Justice Minister Bondi has still not commented publicly. (con)