Washington, D.C. – December 21, 2025 – Amid the Justice Department’s ongoing release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, one file stands out as a profound moment of validation: a 1996 FBI complaint filed by survivor Maria Farmer, documenting her early warnings about Epstein’s possession of child pornography and threats to silence victims.
The report, dated September 3, 1996, details Farmer’s allegations that Epstein stole and sold explicit photos of underage girls, including her younger sisters. It notes Epstein threatening to “burn her house down” if she spoke out. For nearly three decades, Farmer and her sister Annie have insisted this complaint existed, only to face skepticism and inaction from authorities. Its emergence Friday in the DOJ’s partial trove finally proves their account.
“I’ve waited 30 years,” Farmer told The New York Times, breaking down in tears. “They can’t call me a liar anymore.” She expressed gratitude for the vindication but heartbreak over the FBI’s failure to act, allowing Epstein’s crimes to continue unchecked for years.
Farmer, an artist who worked for Epstein in the 1990s, was among the earliest to report his predatory behavior. She and Annie later became vocal advocates, with Annie testifying at Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial. The sisters campaigned vigorously for the Epstein Files Transparency Act, appearing at press conferences holding photos of their younger selves.
Lawyers for survivors hailed the document’s release as a rare bright spot in an otherwise frustrating disclosure. “This is beyond anything we could have imagined for Maria,” said her attorney James Marsh. Jennifer Freeman, another representative, called it proof of “grotesque law enforcement failure.”
The vindication comes as the DOJ faces bipartisan backlash for heavy redactions and withheld files. Thousands of pages and photos surfaced Friday, including images of Epstein with Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Prince Andrew—but key investigative materials remain obscured or missing.
Other survivors, searching the “Epstein Library” for their own statements, expressed disappointment. Many found nothing, fueling accusations of non-compliance with the transparency law.
Echoing the late Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir Nobody’s Girl, which detailed her terror and fight for justice, Farmer’s validated complaint underscores the cost of delayed accountability. Giuffre, who died in April, had accused powerful figures and inspired many to speak out.
As additional files trickle out, Farmer’s story reminds the world: early warnings were ignored, but one brave voice has finally been heard. For survivors, this partial victory fuels demands for the full truth.
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