A massive archive containing 3.5 million pages of records tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has opened for public viewing in New York City, drawing fresh attention to one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent US history.
The temporary installation, titled the Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room, opened on May 8 and will remain accessible until May 21 at an undisclosed gallery space in Tribeca. Reportedly, organisers said the exact address is being kept private for security reasons and will only be shared with confirmed visitors before their scheduled appointments.
Over 3,700 volumes available for public viewing
The collection reportedly contains more than 3,700 volumes of documents released earlier this year by the US Department of Justice. The exhibit has been organised by the Institute for Primary Facts, a nonprofit group that says it aims to encourage transparency and accountability within the US government.
Apart from court and investigative material linked to Epstein, the installation also features a timeline detailing Epstein’s long-discussed relationship with Donald Trump.
“The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room is a physical, undeniable record of corruption, cover-ups, and crime, all 3.5 million pages, 3,437 volumes, and 17,000 pounds of the released and partially redacted Epstein files Trump has been working overtime to distract us from,” the project’s website stated.
“The Reading Room keeps public attention fixed on the crimes of Epstein and the Epstein class, and on Trump's desperate attempts to bury them, to support the victims and survivors as they seek justice.”
Organisers call it a historic public record
Speaking to Wired, organiser David Garrett described the archive as a significant public document tied to major crimes in American history.
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“The evidence in this room is evidence of one of the most horrific crimes in American history,” Garrett said.
“When people come through this room, I hope they realise that in America, we have the rule of law, and if they stand up, they can take action and demand accountability for the crimes that were committed.”
Who was Jeffrey Epstein?
Epstein was a financier who faced allegations of sexually abusing and exploiting dozens of underage girls during the early 2000s. Many of the accusations were linked to his residences in Manhattan, Palm Beach, and his private island, Little St. James.
He pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to charges related to soliciting minors for prostitution and served 13 months in jail under a controversial plea agreement. In 2019, Epstein was found dead inside a New York jail cell. Authorities ruled his death a suicide by hanging.
