New Mexico Attorneys General Clash with DOJ Over Epstein Ranch Files

Former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says federal prosecutors ordered his 2019 state investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico ranch to be halted, promising later cooperation that never materialized. He claims the DOJ never executed a search warrant and withheld evidence, forcing the state to pause its case.

Current Attorney General Raúl Torrez has pressed the DOJ for unredacted documents related to the ranch, alleging the agency’s redactions delay civil asset‑forfeiture claims worth up to $1.2 billion and threaten $40‑60 million of annual state revenue. The DOJ cites ongoing federal litigation and grand‑jury material, while Torrez argues the records were already subpoenaed and should be disclosed. The dispute highlights a broader tension between state prosecutors and federal authorities in high‑profile white‑collar and sexual‑exploitation investigations.