Images nudo remain in Epstein's files despite reactions

The files reviewed by the BBC are among thousands of documents that, according to lawyers, contain identifying information on dozens of Epstein's victims.

Victims' groups have spoken for the first time publicly on this issue over the weekend, after the New York Times reported that nearly 40 separate images were published Friday as part of Epstein's files.

On Tuesday, a judge in New York said the Department of Justice ( The DoJ had agreed to quickly fix the problem, as the victims demanded that the site be closed until the names and images were properly edited.

The DoJ has removed thousands of documents from its website, claiming that files were loaded due to a “technical or human error”. The department has said it is continuing to review new requirements as well as to check whether there were other documents that required further editing.

The BBC has found that a number of images of identifiable persons were still online on Wednesday, despite the US government saying the day before it was dealing with the problem of incomplete editing.

The caused “Dum is irreparable”, Brad Edwards, a lawyer representing the victims, said in a statement.

“I am upset about girls whose information was published”, told the BBC Ashley Rubright, a survivor of Epstein's abuse.

It's such a big violation of one of the most terrible moments of their life”, she added.

Four of the identified images showed young girls partially dressed, with their faces and bodies undiscovered.

They were found during an overall search among the millions of files published as evidence of Epstein's interactions with public figures.

One document contained two versions of the same picture: one with a face covered with one square black and the other showing his face completely.

Another video also identifies a person who was seen raising his shirt and showing chest in front of the camera.

Justice Department officials were tasked with editing all sexually explosive photos or any information that could identify victims before publishing the latest Epstein file package during the Christmas period.

Prior to the deadline set by Congress, Deputy Prosecutor General Todd Blanche has said files would not be published on time, citing the additional effort needed to protect the victims' identity.

We are considering every single document that we will publish, making sure that each victim's name, her identity, her history, to the extent to be protected, is fully protected”, he said at the time.

The BBC has also found that the identities of some are displayed in medical information and legal statements published in the files.

One name appeared complete in two videos showing ultrasound scans of a fetus.

Time, date, and what seemed to be the location of scans, as well as the age of the fetus, were also clearly visible.

Another document contained a recording of Epstein questioning in which a lawyer mentioned the name of at least one victim.

Lawyers of Epstein's victims have sharply criticised the Justice Department for failing to protect hundreds of women identified in the file.

We're constantly receiving calls from the victim, because their names, despite never going public and being completely unknown to the public, have just been published for public consumption”, Brad Edwards, one of the lawyers, announced on Sunday.

The “are literally thousands of mistakes”, he added.