New Mexico Epstein Commission Issues First Subpoenas in Widening Probe

New Mexico legislators probing Jeffrey Epstein said on Monday that they have issued their first subpoenas, seeking evidence from 14 entities, including federal law enforcement agencies, the state governor’s office and a Santa Fe scientific institute.

The New Mexico Truth Commission, in its second meeting since being established in February, also heard testimony from Rachel Benavidez, a survivor of alleged sexual abuse at Epstein’s New Mexico ranch, as well as family members of the late Virginia Giuffre, another survivor.

The commission, the first of its kind in the country, was established following the US Department of Justice’s release of millions of Epstein-related files that shed new light on activities at the ranch 30 miles south of the state capital, Santa Fe.

The investigation could have wider international significance if it finds evidence that public figures travelled to the ranch and took part in alleged sexual abuse. Epstein survivors have called on lawmakers in New York and Florida to also launch probes into abuse at the late financier’s residences in those states.

The bipartisan group is investigating allegations of sex trafficking and medical and scientific crimes at the ranch, as well as “power networks” that allowed Epstein to operate in the state for 26 years, according to Representative Marianna Anaya, a member of the committee.

State Representative Andrea Reeb, another member, said the investigation would seek information on how state and federal agencies failed in relation to Epstein, before subpoenaing individuals.

“Let’s say, for example, we decide to pull in the former attorney general, we need to have that information of what their office has in order to properly question them,” Reeb told reporters after the meeting.

Among those subpoenaed by the Truth Commission were Deutsche Bank, the FBI, the New Mexico Department of Justice, the New Mexico State Land Commission, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Fe Institute, a scientific foundation in the state capital, according to Representative Andrea Romero, chair of the group.

Benavidez, 52, said she hoped the Truth Commission, and a reopened state criminal investigation, would reveal those in New Mexico and elsewhere who turned a blind eye to Epstein’s abuse or took part in it.

The Truth Commission has hired a law firm to deal with potential civil lawsuits brought by survivors. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez last week urged more survivors to come forward to assist his criminal investigation.

In the absence of federal investigations into Epstein by the Justice Department, survivors are relying on state probes to bring accountability for alleged co-conspirators and perpetrators.

“We know Jeffrey Epstein could not have acted alone,” said Benavidez, a registered nurse. “We see why the tentacles of this network extend across academia, science, medicine, politics, finance and government.”

For any enquiries or information, contact ask@tlr.ae or call us on +971 52 644 3004. Follow The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels.