Legislation Authorizes Release of Jeffrey Epstein Grand Jury Documents

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 117, which allows for the public release of grand jury documents, such as those related to the 2006 Florida investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.




Two victims of Epstein joined Governor DeSantis in Palm Beach to celebrate the justice that was being delivered.

“The public deserves to know who participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking,” said Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. “Nobody should be protected from facing justice due to their wealth or status, and those who harm children should be exposed and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

HB 117 will allow disclosure of grand jury testimony if the following conditions are met:

• The subject of the grand jury inquiry is dead.
• The investigation was about sexual activity with a minor.
• The testimony was previously disclosed by a court order.
• The state attorney is notified.

Because all the above apply to the Jeffrey Epstein Florida case, this legislation will authorize release of the Epstein grand jury documents when it takes effect on July 1, 2024.

“Palm Beach County and the victims suffered from Epstein’s vile behavior before the world ever knew his name,” said Republican Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman. “I followed the story as we parents kept our kids close, but we never stopped seeking the truth. The police investigated relentlessly, and now the Governor opens up the last chapter of this sordid story.”

After a 2006 investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the Palm Beach Police Department asked the State Attorney to charge Epstein with multiple felony charges, including unlawful sexual activity with a minor and lewd or lascivious molestation. Rather than charge Epstein directly, the State Attorney at the time chose to present evidence to a grand jury—ensuring the names of those involved and the details of the accusations were kept sealed.

Democrats agreed this bill will allow for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein grand jury testimony records of 2006, where allegations of Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors were reviewed by a federal grand jury.

“I have been honored to work on this bill for the past two legislative sessions with Clerk Abruzzo and Representative Gossett-Seidman, and am happy to see that this year it is also a priority of the Governor,” Democratic Senator Tina Polsky, of Boca Raton. The public and the victims deserve to know if prosecutors steered the jury away from indicting Epstein on more severe charges. We need to know if the system worked or failed in the pursuit of justice of this heinous individual. I look forward to the transparency the legislation will provide to the people of Florida.”

Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book also reacted to the legislation that will help unseal testimony evidence presented to a 2006 grand jury about Jeffrey Epstein that may have helped him avoid a more serious prison term associated with the crimes he committed.

“For years, we have been fighting to shine light on Epstein’s crimes, those who enabled him, and those in our government who allowed him to evade justice with a slap on the wrist and special treatment which allowed him to continue his predation even when ‘jailed,'” Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book said. “The unsealing of more secret Epstein files, as directed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, is another step toward truth, accountability, and greater justice for victims and survivors.”