A federal judge in Manhattan has denied the US government’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the sex trafficking case against late financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying the records offer limited value compared to the wider case file already held by the department of justice, reported news agency AP.The ruling on Wednesday by US District Judge Richard Berman follows a similar decision by the judge who presided over the case of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of aiding Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.In his order, Berman noted that no victims testified before the grand jury and that the only witness was an FBI agent who had “no direct knowledge” of the alleged crimes. The agent’s testimony, described as mostly hearsay, was presented over two sessions on June 18 and July 2, 2019, alongside a PowerPoint presentation and a call log – all of which will remain sealed.Berman wrote, “the grand jury testimony is merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct,” adding that the motion to unseal the transcripts appeared to be a “diversion” from the more comprehensive case materials already in the government’s possession, as quoted by the agency.The decision comes amid increased scrutiny over the DOJ’s approach to transparency in the Epstein case. Last month, public backlash followed the justice department’s statement that it would not release additional documents from the investigation.“The government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein file,” Berman said, criticising the limited nature of the records it sought to unseal.Meanwhile, Maxwell’s legal team has indicated willingness to cooperate with the House Oversight Committee, which is seeking her testimony as part of a Republican-led probe. However, her lawyers have requested immunity and access to questions in advance, which the committee has rejected. Chair James Comer said the panel was willing to delay her deposition until after her Supreme Court appeal, expected to be resolved in late September.
