A federal judge in New York has denied the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. U.S. District Judge Richard Berman issued the ruling on Wednesday, stating that the government did not meet the necessary criteria to justify unsealing the documents.

Judge Berman noted that the Justice Department has already conducted a thorough investigation into Epstein, which resulted in a substantial collection of documents. He stated, "A significant and compelling reason to reject the Government's position in this litigation is that the Government has already undertaken a comprehensive investigation into the Epstein case and, not surprisingly, has assembled a 'trove' of Epstein documents, interviews and exhibits."

The judge emphasized that the 100,000 pages of materials in the government's possession far exceed the approximately 70 pages of grand jury materials. He described the government's motion as a potential "diversion" from the extensive files already available. Berman also expressed concerns about the safety and privacy of Epstein's victims, noting that there are over a thousand victims involved in the case.

The Justice Department's request to unseal the transcripts follows similar rejections from two other judges in related cases, including one involving Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking operation.

Berman pointed out that the only witness who testified before the grand jury was an FBI agent who lacked direct knowledge of the case, and much of the testimony was hearsay. The grand jury's proceedings included a PowerPoint presentation and a call log, both of which will remain sealed.

The ruling comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein investigation. In a recent statement, the department indicated it would not release any additional documents, which has sparked frustration among those seeking transparency in the case. President Donald Trump had previously called for the release of the transcripts, amid speculation regarding his past connections to Epstein.

Maxwell was recently transferred from a Florida prison to a minimum-security facility in Texas. She was interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the House Oversight Committee has expressed interest in speaking with her. However, her legal team has requested immunity from prosecution before any testimony is given.

As the investigation continues, the public remains eager for more information regarding Epstein's extensive network and the allegations against him and his associates.