A federal judge warned that sealed records in a sex-trafficking suit against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s bank could expose Justice Department documents and court files identifying alleged co-conspirators.
U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff issued the protective order Monday in Jane Doe v. FirstBank Puerto Rico, a suit alleging the bank was Epstein’s longest banking partner and knowingly funded his sex-trafficking operation.
The order placed all parties on notice that the court is “unlikely to seal or otherwise afford confidential treatment” to any discovery material introduced as evidence at trial, even if it had previously been designated confidential.
Rakoff added that he retains “unfettered discretion” over documents filed in connection with any motion — meaning records could become public before trial.
That warning lands as the Justice Department is separately fighting to keep co-conspirator identities hidden.
Last month, according to court records, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was ordered by U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan to release more Epstein files — including the unredacted names of potential co-conspirators — or explain why he refused.