Some of the hundreds of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were released earlier this month were not properly redacted, making Some of the people mentioned “fear for their safety”a federal judge said Friday.
District Judge Loretta Preska said attorneys in the case failed to delete information she had ordered remain sealed, leading to the disclosure of telephone numbers, email addresses and names of people related to the caseincluding the victims, called Jane Does.
Some photos were also accidentally released, according to records.
Preska ordered the release of several hundred documents since January 4, related to a lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s ex-girlfriend.
“The lawyer is thus reminded of the human cost of inadvertently revealing the names and identifying information of Does that should have remained secret,” the judge said.
Victims and others “They have stated that they fear for their safety and that of their loved ones.”Preska said, adding that reputations, careers and personal relationships have been affected.
The judge cited the widespread attention the case has garnered as a reason for lawyers to be more careful. News of the documents circulated widely even before their publication, causing a rampant speculation in the media and social media platforms.
Epstein was charged with sex trafficking in 2019 and died while in federal custody. A year later, Maxwell was arrested on sex trafficking and other charges and convicted after a trial in 2021. She is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence.
Giuffre sued Maxwell for defamation in 2015 after the British socialite said she lied about being lured by Epstein to sexually abuse her at the age of 16. The case was later resolved.
