A GOP-led congressional committee has issued an unusual subpoena to the estate of the late billionaire capitalist/sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. They are looking to gather a large number of documents for their public and continuing investigative effort. The subpoena was signed by Congressman James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee. There are two reasons for such unforgiving scrutiny, and this places its goal beyond simply uncovering sordid details of Epstein’s sex trafficking.
The committee is demanding that Epstein’s estate turn over all kinds of documents. Among the items requested is an artists’ book, with bound notes from friends who celebrated Epstein’s 50th birthday. The second is his last will and testament. Additionally, the committee seeks agreements that Epstein signed with prosecutors, his extensive contact list, and the infamous “Black Book” containing contact information for numerous individuals.
Additionally, the subpoena asks for any NDA agreements entered into by Epstein and information related to his financial transactions and assets. The estate, which is registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was initially estimated to be worth $600 million. His value, in short, has taken a tremendous nosedive. We now know that figure is closer to $40 million after nearly $170 million in settlement payouts were distributed to victims.
The subpoena has now formally been issued to Epstein’s executors, attorneys Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn. Just last week, the estate released about 33,000 pages of documents. The majority of these documents were readily available to the public already, prompting skepticism about whether the information made public was adequate at all.
In a statement regarding the investigation, Congressman Comer noted that the committee “is reviewing the possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell, the circumstances and subsequent investigations of Mr. Epstein’s death, the operation of sex-trafficking rings and ways for the federal government to effectively combat them, and potential violations of ethics rules related to elected officials.”
Beneficiaries of Epstein’s estate continue to be his former girlfriend Karyna Shuliak as well as executors Indyke and Kahn. Public Citizen supports the congressional committee’s efforts to continue its investigation. Its aim is to bring Epstein’s business practices to light and disproportionately focused on the systemic epidemic of sex trafficking and government corruption.