Epstein files released

The Justice Department released thousands of files Friday from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein even as it acknowledged that its documents disclosure about the wealthy financier, known for his connections to President Donald Trump and other influential people, was incomplete.

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The records arrived with public anticipation that they could offer the most detailed look yet at nearly two decades worth of government investigations into Epstein's sexual abuse of young women and underage girls. But it remained unclear how much substantive new information was included in the photos, call logs, grand jury testimony, and interview transcripts, or how much if any additional insight might be gleaned about Epstein's relationships with rich and powerful contacts.

The files were being released in accordance with a congressionally set deadline of Friday, but the Justice Department signaled that it would not fully meet that mark, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Fox News Channel that he expected the department to release "several hundred thousand" records Friday and then several hundred thousand more in the coming weeks.

Their release has long been demanded by a public hungry to learn whether any of Epstein's rich and powerful associates knew about - or participated in - the abuse. Epstein's accusers have also long sought answers about why federal authorities shut down their initial investigation into the allegations in 2008.