In a significant development, newly released US Justice Department records have corroborated the long-standing claim of an early Jeffrey Epstein accuser, confirming that she alerted federal authorities about his predatory behaviour nearly three decades ago. For artist Maria Farmer, this official validation marks a moment of profound, yet bittersweet, closure.
Official Vindication After 28 Years
Maria Farmer, among the first known individuals to report Epstein's alleged sexual crimes to law enforcement, has finally seen her account documented in official government files. The records, part of a recent partial release by the Justice Department, include an FBI document from 1996. While Farmer's name is redacted in the public version, she has confirmed to the BBC that one of the detailed complaints is hers.
The file outlines a disturbing report where Farmer told investigators that Epstein had stolen personal photographs of her underage sisters, who were 12 and 16 years old at the time. According to the document, Farmer stated Epstein "stole the photos and negatives and is believed to have sold the pictures to potential buyers." It further notes that "Epstein at one time requested to take pictures of young girls at swimming pools."
A chilling passage reveals the intimidation tactics employed: "Epstein is now threatening [redacted] that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down." For Farmer, seeing this in cold, official print has been deeply validating. "I feel redeemed," she told the BBC.
A Mixed Emotional Reckoning for Survivors
Jennifer Freeman, Farmer's lawyer, emphasised the importance of the document's release, stating it confirms her client reported Epstein's crimes nearly 30 years ago. In a statement read on CNN, Farmer expressed complex emotions: "Thank you for believing me. I feel redeemed. This is one of the best days of my life."
She quickly added, "Of course, it's mixed with the fact that I'm devastated about all the other girls … who were harmed because the FBI didn't do their job … I'm shedding tears of joy for myself, but also tears of sorrow for all the victims."
This sentiment was echoed by her sister, Annie Farmer, who has previously stated she was 16 when Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell abused her. After viewing the document, an emotional Annie Farmer told CNN, "Just to see it in writing and to know that they had this document this entire time, and how many people were harmed after that date? We've been saying it over and over, but to see it in black and white that way has been very emotional."
Frustration Amidst Partial Transparency
While the release provided vindication for the Farmer sisters, it has also sparked frustration among other survivors of Epstein's abuse. Many found the Justice Department's online "Epstein Library" difficult to navigate, hindering their search for records related to their own cases.
Epstein survivor Jess Michaels told CNN she could not locate her own victim statement or records of calls she made to the FBI tip line. "I can't find any of those," she said, questioning the effort. "Is this the best that the government can do? Even an act of Congress isn't getting us justice."
The episode underscores a painful legacy of institutional failure, where early warnings were documented but not acted upon, allowing a predator to continue his crimes for years. The released files stand as a stark, official testament to the first alarms that went unheeded.
