New Mexico sues DOJ over blocked Jeffrey Epstein ranch probe
What's new: The state says it made 10 requests for records and wants a court to force the Justice Department to turn them over.
New Mexico sued the Justice Department and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday, accusing federal officials of blocking the state's criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes at his ranch in the state. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, says Attorney General Raúl Torrez and his team were denied or ignored after 10 requests for evidence and other materials. New Mexico is seeking an order requiring the department to share records tied to Epstein and possible co-conspirators. The state released the suit the same day it issued a preliminary report on its ongoing Epstein probe. The Justice Department said some requested material cannot be disclosed because court orders protect victim-identifying information, but said it remains available to assist within the law.