New Mexico AG says Justice Department is blocking Epstein inquiry
Raúl Torrez accused Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of hindering an active Epstein-related investigation, CBS News reported.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is accusing the Justice Department of getting in the way of an active investigation tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to CBS News.
Torrez made the allegation against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in an appearance on CBS News’ “The Takeout,” where he discussed what CBS described as a live Epstein investigation.
The dispute lands as Blanche has told senators, during his confirmation hearing, that the Justice Department would pursue any fresh leads connected to Epstein, CBS News reported.
Torrez’s charge is blunt: he says Blanche is obstructing the investigation that is already underway. CBS characterized the accusation as Blanche “stonewalling” the New Mexico probe.
The CBS News report did not provide details on the specific investigative steps at issue, the New Mexico attorney general’s evidence for the accusation, or the exact nature of the Epstein-related inquiry.
It also did not include a response from Blanche or the Justice Department to Torrez’s allegation.
The clash puts a state attorney general’s Epstein-related investigation up against a Justice Department official who has publicly promised senators that new leads in the matter would be investigated.
Epstein is identified in the CBS report as a convicted sex offender. The latest development centers not on a newly announced federal case, but on Torrez’s claim that federal officials are hindering an investigation currently being handled from New Mexico.
Torrez’s comments were featured on “The Takeout,” CBS News’ interview program hosted by Major Garrett. CBS posted the segment under the title “New Mexico AG says DOJ hindering Epstein probe.”
For now, the public record described by CBS contains two competing points: Blanche’s confirmation-hearing assurance that the Justice Department will investigate new Epstein leads, and Torrez’s accusation that Blanche is standing in the way of an existing inquiry.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.