BREAKING NEWS: FBI Documents Show the Agency Spent More Than $850,000 on Overtime Pay for Agents Tasked With Processing and Redacting Epstein-Related Files

Newly released FBI documents have revealed that the bureau spent more than $850,000 in overtime pay for agents assigned to process, review, and redact thousands of pages of Jeffrey Epstein–related files.

The records, disclosed through a recent Freedom of Information Act release, shed new light on the massive internal effort to prepare sensitive materials for public release and ongoing legal proceedings.

According to the documents, the surge in overtime spending began as public pressure mounted for greater transparency surrounding the Epstein case.

Agents were reportedly required to work extended shifts to manage a backlog of documents, some dating back decades, involving witness interviews, internal communications, and evidence logs.

FBI officials say the extensive redaction process was necessary to protect the identities of victims, cooperating witnesses, and unrelated investigative subjects.

Critics, however, argue that the unusually high costs raise questions about the agency’s pace and priorities.

Legal experts note that federal law mandates the protection of sensitive information, but the volume of Epstein-related files continues to fuel speculation about who and what might be included in the unreleased materials.

More updates are expected as transparency advocates push for accelerated disclosure and additional records continue to be processed.