Early Epstein accuser Maria Farmer speaks out as documents reveal extent of ‘FBI failure’
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sex Trafficking, US News
Phoebe Tonks
Featured Image Credit: CBS
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sex Trafficking, US News
Maria Farmer, one of Jeffrey Epstein's earliest accusers, has hit out at the FBI after documents relating to her 1996 complaint about the sex offender were released on Friday.
Around 300,000 documents were made public this week after the Department of Justice failed to meet a deadline to release all of the files pertaining to the late financier.
Among the documents were numerous files, photographs and handwritten notes relating to Epstein, including various images with high-profile celebrities.
Yet, among the documents was also a redacted copy of Farmer’s own complaint to the FBI back in 1996, when she expressed her concerns that Epstein had stolen images of her 12-year-old and 16-year-old sisters.
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In the complaint, Farmer explained that she believed he sold the photos to potential buyers - and said he threatened to burn her house down if she told anyone about it.
"Epstein at one time requested to take pictures of young girls at swimming pools," the document states.
"Epstein is now threatening [redacted] that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down."
Shortly after the documents were made public, Farmer spoke to the BBC to hit out at the FBI over their handling of the case.
"Thank you for believing me. I feel redeemed,” she confessed after the extent of Epstein’s crimes became public.
"This is one of the best days of my life. Of course, it's mixed with the fact that I'm devastated about all the other little girls like Virginia who were harmed because the FBI didn't do their job.
"I'm crying for two reasons. I want everyone to know that I am shedding tears of joy for myself, but also tears of sorrow for all the other victims that the FBI failed."
In addition to Maria’s comments, her sister, Annie Farmer, who was also abused by Epstein at the age of 16, broke her silence to comment on finally seeing her sister’s attempt to report his crimes back in 1996.
Speaking with CNN on Friday, she said: “Just to see it in writing and to know that they had this document this entire time,” Farmer said, overcome by emotion, “and how many people were harmed after that date, it just, you know we’ve been saying it over and over, but to see it in back and white that way, has been very emotional.”
“I’m with Maria today,” she continued. “I know she felt a tremendous amount of relief and redemption but also sorrow, in thinking about people like Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who are not here to see this.”
“I still have the questions about, did they not take it seriously?,” Farmer said as she questioned the FBI’s stance. “Or were they protecting Epstein because of whatever relationship he had with the government? There’s just so many questions and why we hope for more transparency.”
All of the Epstein files were due to be made public by 11:59pm on Friday. However, earlier in the day, the Department of Justice had admitted it would not be able to meet this and vowed to release the documents in batches.
The first drop came at around 4pm EST, with an initial 300,000 documents spread across multiple folders. These included images of Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislane Maxwell alongside a host of high-profile names, including Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and the former Prince Andrew.
However, it is worth noting that simply appearing in the files is no indication of any wrongdoing.
A second batch of documents was released just after 20:00 in the evening on the US East Coast, this time consisting of images mostly appearing to be of boxes, suitcases and envelopes.
More are expected over the coming days, however, this isn’t soon enough for some Democrats, who were left ‘disappointed’ by the failure to adhere to a legally mandated deadline.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer slammed the Justice Department for ‘releasing just a fraction of the whole body of evidence’ on Epstein.
“Simply releasing a mountain of blacked out pages violates the spirit of transparency and the letter of the law,” he said in a statement.
“The law Congress passed and President Trump signed was clear as can be – the Trump administration had 30 days to release ALL the Epstein files, not just some. Failing to do so is breaking the law.”
“This just shows the Department of Justice, Donald Trump and Pam Bondi are hellbent on hiding the truth.”