New Mexico attorney general says DOJ is withholding ‘critical’ information related to Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
New Mexico attorney general says DOJ is – Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the Request:** * **Role:** Professional editor rewriting articles. * **Task:** Rewrite the provided article into a new, unique version with proper HTML formatting. * **Source:** CNN article about New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez accusing the DOJ of withholding Epstein files. * **Language:** English (preserve source language). * **Formatting:** Clean HTML using `
`, `
`, `
`, and `
`. No markdown, no commentary. * **Constraints:** * Preserve factual accuracy (names, dates, numbers, quotes). * Do NOT copy sentences verbatim; avoid long phrases (no 8+ consecutive words). * Change structure: reorder paragraphs and vary wording. * Preserve direct quotes using `
`. * Minimum length: 600 words (mandatory). If source is under 600, expand naturally without false info. * Output ONLY the rewritten HTML. 2. **Analyze the Source Text:** * *Topic:* NM AG Raúl Torrez vs. US DOJ regarding Epstein files (Zorro Ranch). * *Key Facts:* * Torrez wrote to Acting AG Todd Blanche on June 30 (released Thursday). * Accusation: DOJ withholding unredacted files, hindering state prosecution. * Quote: “Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records, the foundation upon which a New Mexico prosecution could be built erodes…” * Context: Congress forced DOJ to release files late last year. * NM Investigation: Illegal activity at Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. * DOJ Response: Substantively responded last month, welcomes investigation, ready to assist if federal crimes found. * Probe Reopened: February, after millions of files released. Included 2019 email about two foreign girls buried near Zorro. * Survivors: Chauntae Davies and Virginia Giuffre (late) said ranch was a site of assault. * Redactions: Lawmakers criticized heavy redactions in Dec 2025 release. Watchdog reviewing. * Rep. Jamie Raskin: Described viewing process (DOJ annex, computers, software, staff watching). * Torrez’s Letter Details: 6 attempts to reach DOJ. Feb 13 request. Last month meeting effort. 130+ days elapsed. Unreasonable delay. * Actions: Zorro Ranch searched in March. Survivor’s Truth Commission subpoenaed banks, US Attorneys, Torrez/Gov. Lujan Grisham offices. * Contributors: Hannah Rabinowitz, Michael Williams, MJ Lee, Nicky Robertson, Holmes Lybrand. 3. **Check Word Count:** * The source text looks to be around 450-500 words. I need to ensure the rewrite is at least 600 words. I will need to expand on the context slightly (e.g., elaborating on the significance of the Zorro Ranch, the nature of the redactions, or the timeline) without inventing facts. 4. **Drafting Strategy:** * *Structure:* * H2: Main Headline (Rewritten). * H3: Sub-headline or Section Header. * P: Introduction (Torrez’s accusation). * Blockquote: Torrez’s main quote. * P: Context of the letter and timing. * H3: The DOJ’s Response. * P: DOJ spokesperson statement. * P: Background on Zorro Ranch and the 2019 email. * H3: Survivor Testimonies and Redaction Issues. * P: Davies and Giuffre. Raskin’s comments on viewing docs. * P: Torrez’s specific complaints (130 days, 6 attempts). * P: Current investigations (March search, Truth Commission). * P: Conclusion/Contributors. * *Expansion Points:* * Elaborate on the “erosion” of evidence mentioned by Torrez. * Detail the specific challenges lawmakers face with the unredacted files. * Expand on the role of the Survivor’s Truth Commission. * Ensure no 8+ consecutive words match the original. 5. **Drafting – Section by Section (Mental Check for 8-word limit):** * *Headline:* New Mexico Attorney General Claims Federal Agency Is Hiding Key Epstein Documents. * *Intro:* Raúl Torrez, the top legal official in New Mexico, has formally charged the United States Justice Department with keeping vital records hidden. He argues this lack of transparency is stopping local authorities from securing justice for victims. * *Quote:*
“Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records, the foundation upon which a New Mexico prosecution could be built erodes,” Torrez wrote in a scathing letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on June 30 that was publicly released on Thursday.
(Check: “Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records, the foundation upon which a New Mexico prosecution could be built erodes” -> “Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records” (8 words). Need to break this up or ensure it’s within the blockquote rule. The rule says “Do NOT copy sentences verbatim; avoid long phrases (no 8+ consecutive words)”. However, it also says “Preserve direct quotes using
“. Usually, direct quotes are exempt from the “no 8+ consecutive words” rule if they are exact quotes, but to be safe, I should check if the quote itself contains long phrases. “Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records” is 8 words. I will keep the quote as is because it’s a direct quote, but I must ensure my *narrative* text doesn’t copy 8+ words. Wait, the instruction says “Do NOT copy sentences verbatim; avoid long phrases (no 8+ consecutive words)”. This usually applies to the rewritten text. Direct quotes are preserved. I will use the exact quote text inside the blockquote.) * *Expansion:* Torrez emphasized that time is working against the state. Witnesses move away and stop answering calls. Trauma makes memories slippery, and physical proof can disappear or become harder to verify over time. * *Context:* This correspondence adds to growing frustration regarding how the federal government manages the Epstein case. Congress recently passed a bipartisan law requiring the release of these documents. * *Zorro Ranch:* New Mexico officials are currently looking into potential wrongdoing at the estate located near Santa Fe. A representative for the Justice Department stated they provided a detailed reply to the state’s inquiries last month. * *DOJ Quote:*
“The DOJ reiterates that it welcomes New Mexico undertaking additional investigation of the Zorro Ranch and stands ready to provide necessary assistance with New Mexico’s investigation,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
* *More Context:* They added that any federal offenses discovered would lead to joint prosecution efforts. The local criminal inquiry restarted in February following the massive document dump. One notable item was a 2019 message sent to a radio host claiming two young foreign women were buried in the hills above the ranch by Jeffrey Epstein and his associate. * *Survivors:* While that burial claim remains unconfirmed, it raises questions about prior police work. Several individuals who survived Epstein’s abuse, such as Chauntae Davies and Virginia Giuffre, have testified that the New Mexico property served as a location for sexual violence. * *Redactions:* Critics in Congress have pointed out that the files released in December 2025 contained too many blacked-out sections. An internal watchdog is now examining whether the redaction process was handled correctly. * *Raskin:* Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin described the cumbersome experience of reading the full documents. He noted that legislators must travel to a specific annex, sit at designated computers, navigate complex software, and read while federal employees watch closely. * *Torrez’s Timeline:* In his recent communication, Torrez listed six separate efforts to contact the federal agency. These included a formal document request on February 13 and a proposal for a face-to-face meeting during his trip to Washington, DC. * *Torrez Quote:*
“Despite verbal assurances of cooperation from the USDOJ, access to the requested records has not been granted, no substantive response has been provided, and more than 130 days have now elapsed since the (New Mexico Department of Justice’s) initial request,” Torrez wrote.
* *Conclusion:* He concluded that this duration constitutes an unreasonable holdup. Meanwhile, state investigators conducted a search of the ranch in March. Additionally, the New Mexico Survivor’s Truth Commission is conducting its own probe. Last month, that panel issued subpoenas to various financial institutions, federal prosecutors, and the offices of both Torrez and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. 6. **Word Count Verification & Expansion:** * I need to make sure I hit 600 words. Let’s count roughly. * The draft above looks a bit short. I need to expand on the implications and details. * *Expansion ideas:* * Discuss the significance of the “unredacted” files specifically. * Elaborate on the “foreign girls” allegation more. * Expand on the Survivor’s Truth Commission’s role. * Add more detail about the DOJ’s internal watchdog review. * Describe the atmosphere of the investigation. 7. **Refining the Draft (Iterative Writing):** * *Headline:* New Mexico Attorney General Claims Federal Agency Is Hiding Key Epstein Documents * *Subhead:* State Officials Argue Delay Is Hurting Case Against Sex Offender’s Ranch * *Body:* Raúl Torrez, the chief legal officer for New Mexico, has issued a formal accusation against the United States Justice Department. He contends that federal authorities are deliberately withholding unredacted files concerning Jeffrey Epstein. Torrez argues that this lack of transparency is actively preventing the state from delivering justice to survivors of the late sex offender. In a sharply worded letter addressed to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on June 30, Torrez highlighted the deteriorating situation. The correspondence was made public on Thursday. He stated that the passage of time is damaging the potential for a successful state-level prosecution.
“Every day that the USDOJ withholds these records, the foundation upon which a New Mexico prosecution could be built erodes,” Torrez wrote in a scathing letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on June 30 that was publicly released on Thursday.
Torrez explained that witnesses are moving away and becoming difficult to contact. He noted that memories, which are already fragile due to past trauma, are fading. Furthermore, physical and documentary evidence is degrading or being lost, making authentication more challenging as time passes. This letter represents the most recent critique of the Justice Department’s management of the Epstein case. Congress compelled the department to release the files through a bipartisan legislative measure late last year. New Mexico is currently examining claims of illicit conduct connected to the property Epstein purchased near Santa Fe, commonly referred to as Zorro Ranch. A spokesperson for the Justice Department informed CNN that the agency provided a substantial reply to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office last month.
“The DOJ reiterates that it welcomes New Mexico undertaking additional investigation of the Zorro Ranch and stands ready to provide necessary assistance with New Mexico’s investigation,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The spokesperson added that if the state’s inquiry uncovers potential federal offenses, the Justice Department will collaborate closely with law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute as needed. The New Mexico criminal probe was revived in February following the release of millions of Epstein-related documents. Among these was a 2019 email received by a local radio host. The message claimed that “somewhere in the hills outside the Zorro, two foreign girls were buried on orders of Jeffrey and Madam G.” Although this allegation has not been verified, it remains unclear how thoroughly law enforcement investigated it prior to the renewed interest in Epstein. Several survivors of Epstein, including Chauntae Davies and the late Virginia Giuffre, have testified that the ranch was one of the locations where they suffered sexual assault. Lawmakers have criticized the extensive redactions in the files the DOJ started releasing in December 2025. The US DOJ’s internal watchdog is currently reviewing the redaction methodology. Some members of Congress have been permitted to view the unredacted documents, but the process is demanding. According to Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, legislators must “travel to a DOJ annex, sit at one of four DOJ-owned computers, use a clunky and convoluted software system provided by DOJ, and search for and read documents while DOJ staffers look over our shoulders.” In his latest letter, Torrez detailed six attempts by the New Mexico DOJ office to contact the federal agency. These efforts included a February 13 request for documents and a recent attempt to arrange an in-person meeting during Torrez’s visit to Washington, DC.
“Despite verbal assurances of cooperation from the USDOJ, access to the requested records has not been granted, no substantive response has been provided, and more than 130 days have now elapsed since the (New Mexico Department of Justice’s) initial request,” Torrez wrote.
He concluded that the New Mexico Department of Justice considers this length of time an unreasonable delay under any standard of reason. As part
