A state-led investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's activities in New Mexico entered a new phase this week after a Truth Commission issued its first subpoenas targeting the FBI, state agencies, financial institutions and academic organizations as part of a broader effort to examine how the convicted sex offender operated for years from his Zorro Ranch property near Santa Fe.
The subpoenas, announced during the commission's second formal hearing, mark the most significant step yet in an inquiry launched after the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related records by the Justice Department. Lawmakers and survivors say the investigation aims not only to examine alleged crimes connected to the ranch but also to determine whether institutions failed to act despite warning signs.
According to The Straits Times, the commission is seeking records from 14 organizations, including federal and local law enforcement agencies, government offices, financial institutions and research organizations with potential links to Epstein's activities in New Mexico.
The requests reportedly include records from:
- The FBI
- Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office
- New Mexico state agencies
- The governor's office
- Deutsche Bank
- The Santa Fe Institute
Commission members have not publicly disclosed the specific documents sought, but officials indicated that investigators are attempting to trace financial relationships, institutional interactions and oversight failures connected to Epstein's decades-long presence in the state.
The inquiry gained momentum as survivors appeared before the panel to provide testimony. Rachel Benavidez, who alleges she was abused at Epstein's New Mexico ranch, urged commissioners to look beyond Epstein himself and examine what she described as a larger system that allowed misconduct to continue unchecked.
Benavidez argued that Epstein's operation extended beyond a single individual and involved connections across multiple sectors. Her testimony echoed a growing theme within the investigation-that responsibility may extend beyond Epstein's immediate associates and into institutions that interacted with him over many years.
Family members of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre also addressed the commission, reinforcing calls for broader accountability. Their testimony highlighted ongoing demands from survivors for a more comprehensive review of how Epstein maintained influence and access despite repeated allegations against him.
Representative Andrea Reeb said commissioners are focused on understanding how Epstein was able to operate from Zorro Ranch for years without effective intervention from authorities. The panel, she said, intends to determine whether state and federal agencies missed opportunities to investigate or stop alleged misconduct.
Representative Marianna Anaya framed the inquiry in broader terms, saying investigators are examining what she described as "power networks" that may have connected Epstein to individuals and institutions across finance, government, science and academia. That focus has expanded the scope of the investigation beyond criminal allegations to include questions about influence and oversight.
The commission's work is unfolding alongside a separate criminal investigation led by Raul Torrez. State officials have encouraged additional survivors and witnesses to come forward, while legal counsel retained by the commission is reviewing potential civil implications that could emerge from future findings.
Neither the FBI nor several of the organizations named in the subpoenas have publicly commented on the requests.
