The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not released key interview summaries and notes from three separate FBI interviews with a South Carolina woman who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual assault and also made allegations of sexual abuse against President Donald Trump.
This missing information, which was part of the FBI’s investigation, has raised questions about transparency and the handling of sensitive cases.
The South Carolina Woman’s Allegations
The woman came forward to federal law enforcement shortly after Epstein’s arrest in 2019. She described how she was sexually assaulted by Epstein on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, when she was 13 years old in or around 1984.
According to a summary of an FBI interview released by the DOJ, her initial allegations were significant enough for the FBI to schedule four follow-up interviews in 2019, specifically on July 24, August 7, August 20, and October 16.
Despite the critical nature of her testimony, only the summary of the July 24, 2019 interview has been released publicly. This document includes her allegations of repeated sexual abuse by Epstein but does not mention any claims related to President Trump.
Missing Documents and Allegations Against Trump
Sources familiar with the investigation confirmed to NBC News that the woman who alleged abuse by Epstein also made additional accusations involving President Trump. She claimed that she was forced into a sex act with Trump when she was 13 years old in New Jersey.
It remains unclear whether the sexual abuse allegations against Trump were discussed in the FBI interviews from August, September, or October 2019, as these documents have not been made available by the DOJ.
DOJ and White House Responses
The DOJ issued a statement regarding the missing documents, maintaining that all responsive records had been produced. They explained that certain documents may be withheld due to ongoing investigations or because they fall under categories such as privileged information or duplicates.
The White House, when asked about the missing files, referred to a previous statement issued by the DOJ in which the department dismissed the sexual abuse allegations against Trump as unfounded and false. The White House also reiterated that President Trump had been “totally exonerated” on any matters relating to Epstein.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act and Congressional Oversight
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, confirmed that the unredacted Epstein files, available for congressional review at the DOJ, did not include the missing documents.
Garcia expressed concerns that this omission violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of all documents related to Epstein’s case, barring specific exceptions related to national security or ongoing investigations.
Garcia stated that the missing documents—particularly those related to interviews with the woman in question—appear to have been deliberately withheld. He added that this raises concerns of a potential cover-up.
The FBI’s Handling of the Epstein Case
The missing documents and interviews are part of a broader issue with how Epstein-related materials have been handled by the FBI and the DOJ. The Epstein case continues to raise questions about the transparency of investigations and the treatment of survivors’ testimonies.
In January 2025, an FBI document prepared by the Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force referenced sexual abuse claims involving Trump, but most of these claims were deemed uncredible or lacking substantiation. The document further summarized the various allegations made against Epstein and others linked to his network.
Legal Action and Lawsuits
The woman from Hilton Head Island filed a lawsuit against the Epstein estate in 2019, according to court filings and documents released by the DOJ. This lawsuit is part of ongoing legal actions against Epstein’s estate and seeks justice for the women who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking.
The Missing Files and Congressional Oversight
Journalist Roger Sollenberger and NPR were among the first to report on the missing files, sparking further inquiries from members of Congress. Rep. Garcia, who went to view the unredacted files in person, confirmed that the missing documents were not available.
He called it a violation of both the Epstein Files Transparency Act and the subpoena issued to the DOJ by the House Oversight Committee in August 2025.
