New Mexico has moved to reopen one of the darkest and least examined chapters of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal by authorising what lawmakers describe as the first full, independent investigation into alleged criminal activity at his remote desert estate known as Zorro Ranch.
The decision follows the recent release of millions of Epstein-related documents by the US Justice Department, which renewed attention on his political connections, financial dealings, and activities in New Mexico. Lawmakers say the goal is to finally establish an official public record of what happened at the ranch, why authorities failed to act for decades, and whether institutions enabled Epstein to operate without accountability.
The bipartisan inquiry will be conducted by a four-member “truth commission” with subpoena powers and a budget exceeding $2 million. Its findings could inform future prosecutions and legal reforms in the state.
Why a truth commission was created now
The push for the commission came after months of political pressure and survivor advocacy. The legislation passed unanimously in the New Mexico House of Representatives, reflecting rare bipartisan agreement.
The commission is chaired by Democratic state representative Andrea Romero of Santa Fe and includes Democrat Marianna Anaya of Albuquerque, Republican William Hall, a retired FBI agent, and Andrea Reeb, a former district attorney. The panel is expected to take testimony immediately, release interim findings by July, and submit a final report before the end of the year.
Romero said federal investigations never produced a clear account of Epstein’s activities at the ranch. “We’ve heard years of allegations and rumors about Epstein’s activities here. But unfortunately, federal investigations have failed to put together an official record. This truth commission will finally fill in the gaps of what we need to know,” she said.
She added that Epstein appeared to operate in New Mexico without oversight. “He was basically doing anything he wanted in this state without any accountability whatsoever.”
What is known about Zorro Ranch
Epstein purchased Zorro Ranch in 1993 from former New Mexico governor Bruce King. Located about 30 to 35 miles south of Santa Fe, the property grew into a sprawling compound with a large mansion, guest houses, and a private airstrip.
Multiple civil lawsuits have accused Epstein of sexually abusing underage girls at the ranch dating back to the 1990s. Despite this, he was never charged in New Mexico for crimes linked specifically to the property.
Romero has noted there is no public record of federal authorities ever conducting a thorough search of the ranch, even though one allegation refers to abuse of a 16-year-old girl there in 1996.
Epstein’s death in 2019, which authorities ruled a suicide, ended the possibility of a full federal trial and left many questions unanswered.
Survivor accounts at the centre of the inquiry
Survivor testimony is expected to form the backbone of the commission’s work. Attorney Sigrid McCawley, who has represented hundreds of Epstein survivors, has said many of her clients experienced abuse at Zorro Ranch.
One of them is Virginia Giuffre, who has stated she was abused at the ranch and provided photographs of herself there in court filings. She has alleged Epstein trafficked her to powerful men at the property, including former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson. Richardson’s representative said in 2019 the allegations were “completely false.”
During the criminal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, several women testified about abuse at the ranch.
Jane, the first accuser to testify, said she was taken to Epstein’s bedroom after being told, “Jeffrey wants to see you.” She told the court, “I just, as usual, felt, like, my heart sink into my stomach.” She added, “I did not want to go see him.”
Another survivor, Annie Farmer, testified that Maxwell gave her a nude massage at the ranch when she was 16 and that Epstein later joined her in bed. “He pressed his body into me,” she said.
A third accuser said she was flown to New Mexico on Epstein’s plane and assaulted with a device at the ranch.
Allegations that shocked lawmakers
The renewed focus also follows the release of disturbing emails included in the Epstein files. One email alleged that two girls were sexually assaulted, killed, and buried near the ranch. While lawmakers stress that the commission will rely on evidence rather than rumours, the email underscored why a formal investigation is needed.
Who visited the ranch and who knew
Records and testimony show Epstein regularly flew guests and young women to the ranch. A ranch manager told the FBI in 2007 that Epstein arranged flights for visitors and “masseuses,” some sourced locally.
Former Santa Fe massage therapist Rachel Benavidez later accused Epstein of abusing her at the ranch.
Business figures also visited. Joshua Ramo, former chief executive of Kissinger Associates, said he attended one lunch meeting there. Reflecting on his interactions with Epstein, he said, “I deferred to the due diligence of the institutions involved. I feel a deep sense of grief for the survivors of his crimes.”
Epstein also donated to political campaigns in New Mexico. When those donations became public, recipients pledged to return or donate the money.
Scrutiny of authorities and what comes next
A key focus of the commission is whether Epstein was properly registered as a sex offender in New Mexico after his 2008 conviction in Florida and whether officials failed to act on warning signs.
Representative Marianna Anaya said accountability may extend beyond Epstein. “That perpetrator could not act alone,” she said. “So we know as a commission that enablers must also be held accountable, including the state itself, if needed.”
Zorro Ranch was sold in 2023 after Epstein’s death and renamed San Rafael Ranch. The new owners say they will cooperate with any law enforcement requests.
Lawmakers say the goal of the inquiry is not speculation, but answers. After decades of silence, New Mexico is attempting to establish the truth of what happened at Zorro Ranch and why it was allowed to happen for so long.
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