# New Mexico probe into Epstein's Zorro Ranch – DOJ lawsuit > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-mexico-expands-scrutiny-of-jeffrey-epsteins-zorro-ranch-following-fresh-abuse-allegations > Updated: 2026-08-05T13:14:09.000Z. Sources: 62. Developments: 9. A documentary released in late April 2026 alleged new sexual‑violence crimes at Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch, prompting renewed scrutiny. On International Women’s Day in May, hundreds protested at the site and state officials announced the reopening of the 2019 criminal probe alongside a Justice Department search of the 10,000‑acre property. The bipartisan Truth Commission, funded by settlement money, began issuing subpoenas to federal and local agencies, banks and Epstein’s estate, and set up a confidential tip line and a physical survey of the ranch. In early June the commission issued more than a dozen subpoenas, while Attorney General Raúl Torrez pressed the DOJ for unredacted records listing survivors, witnesses and alleged co‑conspirators. Former AG Hector Balderas claimed the DOJ had halted the earlier state investigation and failed to honor a 2019 informal agreement to share evidence. The dispute intensified in July when Torrez warned that a 130‑day delay in receiving the files was undermining the state case; the DOJ replied that federal law, court orders and victim‑privacy protections barred release of the millions of unredacted pages, providing only heavily redacted excerpts deemed unusable. On 5 August, Torrez filed a federal lawsuit against the DOJ and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, alleging the department “stonewalled” the investigation and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The complaint notes the DOJ has turned over roughly 31 pages of the massive file, which contains more than 13,000 references to Zorro Ranch, despite the state’s ten formal requests since reopening the probe in February 2024. The DOJ maintains that the Epstein Files Transparency Act and protective court orders prohibit broader disclosure and that the state has offered no lawful basis for sweeping release. The suit seeks a district‑court order compelling the DOJ to provide the unredacted records essential for identifying survivors, witnesses and possible co‑conspirators. ## Claims - New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche seeking unredacted Epstein files. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The DOJ says it cannot disclose victim‑identifying information because of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and protective court orders. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The lawsuit alleges the DOJ is stonewalling the state's investigation into alleged sex crimes at Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The state reopened its Epstein investigation in February 2024. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Zorro Ranch is referenced in the Epstein files about 13,000 times, but the DOJ has provided only about 31 pages of material. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Torrez’s office has made ten separate requests for the records, which were ignored or denied. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: New Mexico Attorney General sues DOJ for unredacted Epstein files New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez sued the DOJ and Acting AG Todd Blanche to obtain unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files on Zorro Ranch, alleging stonewalling and seeking a court order to compel release. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-sues-us-justice-department-for-unredacted-epstein-files ### 2026-07-21: New Mexico Attorney General Accuses DOJ of Hindering Epstein Ranch Probe Former NM AG Hector Balderas claims the DOJ’s SDNY broke a 2019 deal, blocking New Mexico’s renewed investigation of Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-attorney-general-accuses-doj-of-hindering-epstein-ranch-probe ### 2026-07-14: US DOJ blocks New Mexico's bid for unredacted Epstein records The U.S. Justice Department says law bars it from giving New Mexico unredacted Epstein files, prompting AG Raul Torrez to accuse the DOJ of deliberate obstruction in the state’s investigation. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/department-of-justice-disputes-with-new-mexico-over-epstein-files-and-voter-data ### 2026-07-09: New Mexico Attorney General accuses DOJ of blocking Epstein ranch investigation New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez says DOJ has withheld unredacted Epstein files for over 130 days, hindering the state’s Zorro Ranch probe; DOJ replied “We are.” Tech firms also ordered to preserve related messages. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-ag-ral-torrez-accuses-doj-of-withholding-critical-epstein-ranch-records ### 2026-06-18: New Mexico lawmakers subpoena federal prosecutors in Epstein investigation New Mexico lawmakers, led by Rep. Andrea Romero, subpoenaed federal prosecutors in several states and territories to investigate why charges against Jeffrey Epstein were never filed, issuing about 23 subpoenses 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-lawmakers-subpoena-federal-prosecutors-in-epstein-investigation ### 2026-06-09: New Mexico Attorneys General Clash with DOJ Over Epstein Ranch Files New Mexico AGs accuse the DOJ of blocking access to unredacted Jeffrey Epstein ranch files, delaying civil forfeiture claims and threatening state revenue. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-attorneys-general-clash-with-doj-over-epstein-ranch-files ### 2026-06-01: New Mexico Truth Commission launches subpoena-driven probe of Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch New Mexico’s bipartisan Truth Commission has launched a subpoena‑driven investigation of Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, with a $2 million budget, tip line, and survivor testimonies, aiming for a final report by 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-truth-commission-launches-subpoena-driven-probe-of-jeffrey-epsteins-zorro-ranch ### 2026-05-21: New Mexico Launches Statewide Probes into Epstein's Zorro Ranch Abuse Claims New Mexico opens investigations and a bipartisan Truth Commission to probe alleged abuse at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-mexico-launches-statewide-probes-into-epsteins-zorro-ranch-abuse-claims ### 2026-04-27: New allegations of sexual abuse at Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico involve male victims New documentary alleges sexual abuse, including gang rape, at Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, with male victims. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-allegations-of-sexual-abuse-at-epsteins-zorro-ranch-in-new-mexico-involve-male-victims --- Cite as: New Mexico probe into Epstein's Zorro Ranch – DOJ lawsuit. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-mexico-expands-scrutiny-of-jeffrey-epsteins-zorro-ranch-following-fresh-abuse-allegations