The House Oversight Committee has escalated its investigation into the federal government's handling of the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. On Monday, the GOP-led committee issued a subpoena to Epstein’s estate, demanding a comprehensive collection of documents that could shed light on his notorious activities.
The subpoena specifically requests a variety of documents, including the infamous “birthday book”. This book reportedly contains letters gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday, featuring a note with the name of former President Donald Trump. Trump has consistently denied authorship of the letter and has even filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, which was the first to disclose this information.
In a letter to Epstein’s estate, GOP Chairman James Comer stated, “Recent reporting indicates the estate of Mr. Epstein has access to documents relevant to the Committee’s investigation, including the alleged ‘birthday book’ prepared for Mr. Epstein by Ms. Maxwell.” The committee is also pursuing Epstein’s will, all non-disclosure agreements associated with him, financial records, and any document that could potentially identify clients involved in sex-related crimes or sex trafficking facilitated by Epstein.
In a statement regarding the subpoena, Comer indicated that individuals associated with Epstein’s estate are prepared to comply. He has set a deadline of September 8 for the estate to submit the requested documents. “It is our understanding that the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein is in custody and control of documents that may further the Committee’s investigation and legislative goals,” Comer mentioned. He further noted that the estate is willing to provide the documents in accordance with the subpoena.
Daniel Weiner, representing the law firm Hughes Hubbard and Reed, stated, “The Epstein Estate received a subpoena this afternoon from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; we are reviewing it. As the Co-Executors have always said, they will comply with all lawful process in this matter, and that includes the Committee’s subpoena.”
Additionally, Chairman Comer announced that the committee would conduct a transcribed interview with Alexander Acosta, who served as Secretary of the Department of Labor during Trump’s first term. Acosta oversaw a controversial plea deal with Epstein in 2008 while he was the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He is set to appear voluntarily for the interview on September 19, a move that has been met with significant scrutiny given the backlash Acosta faced for the plea agreement.
In 2019, then-Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for Acosta’s resignation, accusing him of granting Epstein a “sweetheart deal.” The committee's decision to interview Acosta reflects a renewed commitment to uncovering the truth surrounding Epstein’s actions and the individuals who may have aided him.
The House committee's investigation into Epstein has gained momentum after the Department of Justice recently provided thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents to the panel. However, Democrats on the committee have expressed concerns, stating that only about “3 percent” of these documents contain new information, such as flight logs from the Customs and Border Protection agency regarding Epstein’s former plane.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the committee, remarked, “After weeks of pressure from Oversight Democrats, Chairman Comer has finally issued a subpoena for Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous birthday book, which contains critical information about Epstein’s social network—and has agreed to hear testimony from Alex Acosta. These are important steps forward to get long-overdue answers about sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. It doesn’t matter who you are: If you were involved with Jeffrey Epstein and you hurt people, you need to be held accountable.”
As the investigation unfolds, the House Oversight Committee is poised to uncover vital information about Jeffrey Epstein's operations and the individuals connected to his nefarious activities.
