Internet sleuths easily bypassed the Justice Department’s redactions in the recently released cache of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Guardian and the New York Times.
While some used Photoshop to get around the redactions, others simply copied and pasted the redacted text into a word processing document to reveal the hidden sections, the reports found. The easily uncovered redactions seemed to indicate the files were “hastily censored,” according to the Times.
CNN reported on Tuesday that the DOJ was scrambling to find volunteers to help redact the latest files on Epstein. Per the report, a lawyer in the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office emailed the entire district on Tuesday, requesting help with an emergency request from the Deputy Attorney General’s office. “We need [Assistant United States Attorneys] to do remote document review and redactions related to the Epstein files,” the email stated, according to CNN. The request noted that SDF needed assistance over the next few days, indicating more files on Epstein may be released during the Christmas holiday.
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Some of the redacted text uncovered by the internet sleuths revealed details of civil lawsuits involving Epstein, including how he and his associates sexually abused children, according to the Guardian. Payments to young models and actresses were also described in the redactions, the Guardian found.
The Epstein files were released as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compels the DOJ to release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s investigations and associates. The agency has a microsite containing the files they have released, though it hasn’t been updated since Dec. 19.
