Newly released FD-302s show the FBI dropped the ball on a report filed on Jeffrey Epstein in 1996. Even better, Maria Farmer, sister of an Epstein victim turned whistleblower, was the one who alerted them to this important story. This major lapse allowed Epstein to rape and manipulate underage girls for decades. It raises some very serious questions about how the agency dealt with these allegations and other allegations.
Artist Maria Farmer was the first person to report Epstein’s abusive and predatory behavior to the FBI. The FBI has never admitted this report publicly. This freed Epstein to continue his abuse and exploitation of young women with impunity until he finally faced justice decades later. He was arrested in 2019, with prosecutors alleging that he “sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls” between 2002 and 2005, primarily at his residences in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida.
The newly released files show that the shocking detail is even worse. Epstein had earlier purchased a plane ticket for Annie Farmer, another one of Epstein’s victims who courageously testified against him. Annie Farmer recounted her heartbreaking experiences before Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial in 2021. She disclosed that at only 16 years old, Maxwell ordered her to strip down at Epstein’s ranch in New Mexico. This traumatic experience involved unwanted physical interaction, with Epstein “caressing” her hand while watching a film together.
In her testimony, Annie Farmer described the way that Maxwell groomed her. She remembered, “I was looking and she was teaching me. I did what she was telling me.” She shared her embarrassment with the experience and shared her wish to not go through this anymore, but felt like she had no control that day.
Maria Farmer’s original account went into depth about the many threats Epstein issued. He allegedly requested “pictures of young girls at swimming pools” and warned Maria that he would “burn her house down” if she disclosed any information about the photos he possessed. This disturbing threat further exposes the predatory nature of Epstein’s actions. It raises serious questions about how law enforcement has handled his case.
The 1996 report and a federal investigation in 2008 impacted at least 40 teen girls. Even so, at the time, Epstein received little punishment. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to state-level prostitution charges in Florida. It was not until decades later that he was ever held accountable for his predatory, long-term abuse of adolescent girls.
Annie Farmer spoke of her frustration at seeing no action taken by authorities throughout the years. She stated, “And just to see it in writing and to know that they had this document this entire time… It’s been very emotional.” She wrestles with uncertainty over the FBI’s handling of her sister’s allegations. She’s curious whether they just didn’t believe her or whether it was something more ingrained that led them to not act. Did they not take it seriously,” she asked, “or were they doing some sort of protection for Epstein because of whatever relationship he had with the government? There’s just so many questions and why we hope for more transparency.
Beyond the testimonies from the Farmers, there is growing concern from experts about the larger impacts of these revelations. Jennifer Freeman, an advocate for survivors of abuse, stated, “What’s new today is finally getting the FBI report of Maria Farmer from 1996 – this is triumph and tragedy for Maria and so many survivors.”
As these documents show, rather than act on repeated warnings about this alarming trend, authorities allowed the abuse to continue in a systemic cover-up. In the end, Epstein was allowed to operate without consequence for far too long. This leads to serious concerns about law enforcement accountability.
At the same time, investigations into Epstein’s predatory behavior and agency response continue. Survivors and advocates cautiously await the release of any report, urging a thorough examination of our past failures. The public continues to call for justice loudly. As more and more information comes to light, people are now asking how Epstein was able to get away with it for so long.