FBI Did Not Properly Investigate Jeffrey Epstein Allegations From 1996, Documents Show

The sister of Jeffrey Epstein survivor Annie Farmer reported the disgraced financier and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to the FBI as early as 1996, detailing allegations of sexual abuse and unauthorized nude photography of minors, yet the agency failed to launch a proper investigation at the time, according to newly released documents. Maria Farmer, a professional artist who had worked for Epstein, filed a complaint after discovering that Epstein had taken nude photographs and negatives of her sisters—aged 12 and 16—without permission. She informed authorities that Epstein had stolen the images, which she believed he intended to sell to potential buyers, and that he had threatened to burn her house down if she spoke about the matter.

The police report from 1996, recently made public, states that Maria Farmer explained she had taken pictures of her sisters for her personal artwork, but Epstein accessed and removed the nude images. Despite these serious allegations involving minors, there is no public record of the FBI pursuing a full investigation or taking meaningful action following Maria Farmer's complaint. Epstein continued to abuse teenage girls for nearly another decade before facing charges related to underage victims in the mid-2000s. He was not federally prosecuted for sex trafficking until 2019, when he was arrested again and later died by suicide in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial.

Maria Farmer's 1996 report has resurfaced amid ongoing scrutiny of the FBI's handling of Epstein-related cases, as highlighted by Jennifer Freeman of Marsh Law, who represents Maria in a lawsuit against the U.S. federal government. Freeman described the release of the 1996 FBI report as both a “triumph and tragedy” for survivors, noting that it confirms the early warning signs were ignored. During Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 sex-trafficking trial, Annie Farmer testified that at age 16 she received a nude massage from Maxwell at Epstein's New Mexico ranch and that Epstein later climbed into her bed, saying he “wanted to cuddle,” leaving her frozen and unable to react.

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The newly disclosed files also include disturbing details about the decor in Epstein's sprawling 21,000-square-foot Manhattan mansion. The seven-storey residence featured framed photographs of children in inappropriate poses, including one of a young girl perched on Epstein's shoulders, a young boy looking down his own pants, and other questionable images. Additional items included taxidermied animals such as a dog and a tiger placed throughout the home, as well as a sculpture of a bride holding onto a rope at the entrance. These elements, combined with child-themed artwork and role-play costumes, have further fueled public outrage over the extent of Epstein's activities and the delayed response from law enforcement.

The revelations underscore long-standing criticisms of how authorities handled early reports about Epstein, allowing his abuse to persist for years. Maria Farmer's 1996 complaint stands as a critical early alert that went unheeded, highlighting systemic failures in protecting vulnerable minors from powerful figures. Survivors and advocates continue to call for accountability and transparency in the handling of such cases.

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