Jeffrey Epstein

The Guardian - As the clock ticks toward the congressionally mandated deadline of 19 December by which Donald Trump’s justice department must release its files related to Jeffrey Epstein, there is intense speculation about the contents of these documents – but also questions as to what happens when they are released.

The US president on 19 November signed a bipartisan bill requiring that the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, disclose these documents to the US public within 30 days. Given that other tranches of materials related to the disgraced financier included damning correspondence with high-profile individuals, many expect that still more names of the rich, famous and powerful will be named.

Victims of Epstein and their advocates, including an overwhelming majority of Congress, have expressed hope that they will also learn why he was able to avoid meaningful prosecution for years despite numerous minors telling authorities that he abused them.

Many also believe that these papers could lift the veil on more details of Trump’s relationship with Epstein, as the president, who had been his friend before a falling-out, is mentioned repeatedly in previously released communications.

Trump, whose decision to sign the bill marked a reversal from his months-long opposition to it, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. His representatives have slammed reports of Trump’s prior ties to Epstein as “tired and pathetic attempts to distract from all the success of President Trump’s administration”.

If Trump’s justice department does comply with this law – as Bondi has vowed it will – experts and observers told the Guardian that the long-fought battle for transparency could prompt deep ramifications for those named in the files. These could range from severe ostracism to legal liability.

Sam Bassett, a criminal defense attorney with the Austin, Texas, firm Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey, explained that statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse crimes in various states have expanded in recent years. Federal law does not have time limits for pursuing sex crimes involving minors.

Prosecutors might be able to pursue cases and other investigations if these files “were to reveal enough evidence for somebody to seek charges and or an indictment”.

“It is possible, depending on the jurisdiction,” Bassett said.

That wouldn’t mean that charges would automatically result for anyone implicated with even damning evidence, given logistical constraints. “Given the passage of time, they’re going to have to be pretty selective on which kind of which case or cases they would seek prosecution on,” Bassett said.