Washington, DC [US], February 28 (HBTV): US Attorney General Pamela Bondi on Thursday declassified and released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual exploitation of more than 250 underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida, among other locations.

The first phase of released files comprises documents that had been previously leaked but never formally released by the US government. According to a US Department of Justice press release, Bondi stated that the first phase of files sheds light on Epstein's network.

'This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump's commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,' she said.

'As of today, the first phase of files released sheds light on Epstein's extensive network and begins to provide the public with long-overdue accountability,' she added.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is entering a 'new era' defined by accountability, integrity, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.

'We are in a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice,' Patel said.

'There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned. Anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this effort will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them. Everything we find will be assessed by the DOJ and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be. The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise,' he added.

According to the press release, the US Department of Justice has committed to transparency and intends to release the remaining documents upon review and redaction to protect the identities of Epstein's victims.

In 2019, Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. He was jailed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. In August 2019, he died by suicide while awaiting trial.

The indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court on July 18, 2019, stated: 'From at least 2002 through at least 2005, Jeffrey Epstein enticed and recruited, and caused to be enticed and recruited, dozens of minor girls to visit his mansion in New York, New York (the "New York Residence"), and his estate in Palm Beach, Florida (the "Palm Beach Residence"), to engage in sex acts with him, after which he would give the victims hundreds of dollars in cash.'

'To maintain and increase his supply of victims, Epstein also paid certain victims to recruit additional underage girls whom he could similarly abuse. In this way, Epstein created a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit, often on a daily basis, in locations including New York and Palm Beach,' it further stated. (ANI)