New Mexico Lawmakers Unanimously Authorize Investigation Into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch
In a significant bipartisan move, lawmakers in New Mexico unanimously approved new legislation on Monday that authorizes a comprehensive investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The ranch is located approximately 30 miles from Santa Fe, and the probe aims to uncover details about alleged criminal activities that occurred there.
Formation of Special Investigative Committee
The legislation establishes a special committee composed of state representatives, including two members from both the Democratic and Republican parties. This committee is tasked with investigating events at the ranch and related allegations of criminal misconduct. According to reports, the effort has an estimated cost of Rs 20.8 crore, highlighting the state's commitment to addressing these serious issues.
Federal Coordination and Survivor Testimonies
The state-level investigation coincides with a federal push led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release new information connected to Epstein and his associates. Attorney Sigrid McCawley, whose law firm represented hundreds of Epstein survivors, emphasized the importance of this probe, stating, "Many of the survivors had experiences in New Mexico, and as we've learned, there were local politicians and other people that were aware of what was happening in New Mexico."
Among the survivors allegedly abused at the ranch was the late Virginia Giuffre, who reportedly visited the location multiple times. Epstein faced several civil lawsuits accusing him of sexually assaulting girls at the ranch, although he was never formally charged based on these specific allegations.
Historical Context and Ongoing Efforts
State Representative Andrea Romero (D) commented on the investigation, noting, "There were clearly activities that took place here under the guise of Jeffrey Epstein … and other perpetrators." This probe follows a previous attempt by former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas in 2019 to investigate Epstein's crimes, which was halted by federal prosecutors to avoid a "parallel investigation."
In response to the new legislative action, current state Attorney General Raúl Torrez has assigned a special agent to handle any new crimes uncovered during the investigation. Additionally, the New Mexico Department of Justice has requested an unredacted copy of a 2019 email from an anonymous sender that alleged two "foreign girls" were buried at Zorro Ranch, further underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
This bipartisan initiative reflects a renewed effort to seek justice and transparency regarding the activities at Epstein's New Mexico property, aligning with broader federal inquiries into his network.
