A new wave of controversy erupted after former defense attorney Alan Dershowitz claimed that New York state courts, not federal officials, are behind the continued secrecy in the Epstein case. His remarks pushed back against online speculation accusing the Trump administration of withholding key records and hiding sensitive information.

Dershowitz argued that there is no secret “client list”, explaining that the only documents in question are redacted FBI affidavits based on victim statements. According to him, judges in Manhattan ordered those names to be blacked out to protect accusers, and he is legally prohibited from disclosing anything he learned while representing Epstein.

He also noted that most of the names associated with Epstein have already surfaced over the years through books and news reports, making the idea of a hidden list misleading. Meanwhile, two federal judges—in Florida and New York—recently denied efforts to unseal more records, including grand jury transcripts from the mid-2000s investigations that led to Epstein’s controversial plea deal.

These rulings highlight the ongoing struggle between transparency and privacy in one of the most scrutinized criminal cases of the century. For now, control over the remaining sealed files rests with a handful of judges, keeping the public debate alive and fueling continued speculation about what has yet to be revealed.