Epstein truth-finding commission plans to start issuing subpoenas to ‘persons of interest’

SANTA FE — A newly-formed legislative subcommittee tasked with investigating the full extent of what took place at Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch in New Mexico has already identified possible subpoena targets, the panel’s chairwoman said Tuesday.

The four-member subcommittee, which has been referred to as a truth-finding commission, held its first meeting just a day after a proposal creating it won decisive approval in the state House.

Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, the subcommittee’s chairwoman, said the panel will move quickly to use its authority to compel witness testimony. It also plans to set up a website and a phone line for tips to be submitted about activities that took place at Zorro Ranch, located south of Santa Fe.

“The committee will begin issuing subpoenas to these persons of interest without delay,” Romero said during Tuesday’s hearing.

But she later declined to identify who those individuals might be, saying the committee did not want to “compromise any leads” that it might have.

Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said multiple prominent New Mexicans are named in unredacted Epstein investigation files. 

But the congresswoman said it would be inappropriate to share the names of anyone who has not been fully investigated.

That sentiment was echoed by Rep. Bill Hall, R-Aztec, another member of the bipartisan legislative truth-finding commission.

“At this point in time, it’d be better to investigate the allegations before just putting names out there, because it could also compromise victims,” said Hall, who is a retired FBI agent.

Stansbury, who is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is among the members of Congress who have requested and been granted access to view unredacted files that are not available to the public. Thousands of documents with redacted names have been posted online in a searchable database.

She said the Epstein files include “multiple allegations” dating back to 1996 of women who said they were brought to New Mexico and then sexually exploited or abused at Zorro Ranch. But the unredacted files also include claims by men of alleged rape and sexual assault at the ranch, Stansbury added.

“It’s very clear, having viewed the unredacted files of FBI investigations into this case over many decades, that the U.S. government has failed to do what New Mexico is embarking to do right now,” Stansbury said during an online news conference.

She also said New Mexico’s all-Democratic congressional delegation would support the work of the state-level truth-finding commission and would seek action from the federal government if federal crimes are uncovered.

Epstein’s long shadow in New Mexico

Epstein purchased the Zorro Ranch from the family of former Gov. Bruce King in 1993. The property is located near Stanley on more than 7,500 acres of land and features a 33,339-square-foot mansion, pool, hot tub and other structures. It was sold for an undisclosed price in 2023 to the family of Texas real estate mogul Don Huffines, who said this week on social media he plans to convert it into a Christian retreat center.

Court documents and civil cases have accused Epstein of sexually assaulting teenage girls and women at the ranch, which was one of several properties owned by Epstein. The financier and convicted sex offender also reportedly had homes in New York, Florida, Paris and the Virgin Islands.

One plaintiff described the property in 2019 as being “like a park” where teenage girls were encouraged to ride horses and ATVs, and to use the pool and hot tub.

Epstein died in August 2019 in a New York City jail while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in New York and Florida. Medical investigators determined at the time that he died by suicide.

Even before his death, New Mexico state officials had investigated Epstein’s actions, though no criminal charges were ever filed in the state. Epstein was also not required to register as a sex offender in New Mexico.

Richardson ties likely to resurface

With the truth-finding commission’s work underway, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s relationship with Epstein could come under renewed scrutiny, among other people.

So far, lawmakers have not sought cooperation or information from Richardson’s estate to delve into his possible involvement, Romero said Tuesday.

But she said the committee will “go as far as needed” to understand any allegations it receives.

A spokesperson for Richardson, who died in 2023 at age 78, said in 2019 the former two-term governor had only visited Epstein’s ranch once, in 2012. But files released this year by the U.S. Department of Justice appear to contradict that claim. Specifically, the files indicate Richardson arranged to meet with Epstein numerous times both before and after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida on sex charges.

Meanwhile, the truth-finding commission will face a tight deadline as it begins its work. The subcommittee is required to provide a preliminary report by the end of July, then a full report by the end of this year.

But Romero said any potential victims will be protected by the panel, which will allow them to remain anonymous.

“We will provide a safe space to have that conversation,” she said during Tuesday’s meeting.

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on X at @DanBoydNM or reach him via email at dboyd@abqjournal.com. 

Cathy Cook covers the federal government for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@abqjournal.com.