A federal judge overseeing the Justice Department’s push to unseal grand jury records from Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal case has requested more information before issuing a decision. In a four-page order filed Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer stated he intends to rule “expeditiously” but noted the DOJ’s initial motion lacks sufficient detail to address the legal standards required for disclosing secret grand jury material, ABC News reported.
Engelmayer directed the DOJ to submit a supplemental brief by July 29 that explains in greater depth its justification for seeking the release of the records. The brief must also clarify whether prosecutors have already reviewed the transcripts and if victims were notified prior to the filing. Additionally, the DOJ must file — under seal — an index of all relevant grand jury materials, the full transcripts, a redacted version proposed for public release, and any other pertinent documents.
Defense attorneys for Maxwell also responded on Tuesday, requesting access to the grand jury transcripts before formally stating their position. “We have not seen them, and our understanding is that they have never been provided to the defense in their entirety,” wrote defense lawyer David Oscar Markus. He emphasized that reviewing the transcripts is necessary for Maxwell’s legal team to offer a meaningful response. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly does not oppose allowing the defense access to these materials.
Separately, the judge set an August 5 deadline for victims in the case to submit their views on whether the grand jury records should be made public. The case has gained renewed attention after President Donald Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release additional Epstein-related files, citing transparency concerns. Bondi confirmed that Blanche will soon meet with Maxwell and stated that the DOJ is prepared to hear any credible evidence she may provide involving crimes against victims.
The move has sparked political backlash, particularly from Democrats who view it as a politicization of the justice system. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) accused Blanche of acting as a “political agent” for Trump and potentially offering Maxwell leniency in exchange for politically useful information. Meanwhile, former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz told Fox News that while no official “client list” exists, some redacted names in FBI reports may implicate prominent figures. He mentioned George Mitchell, Bill Richardson, and Ehud Barak as individuals named in victim interviews but stressed that accusations alone do not equate to guilt.
