New Mexico lawmakers on Monday unanimously passed legislation to launch what they called the first full investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, a 7,600-acre property about 30 miles south of Santa Fe where the late sex offender is accused of trafficking and sexually assaulting girls and women.
What’s Happening
A bipartisan committee of four lawmakers will lead the $2.5 million investigation, which carries subpoena power. The committee begins work Tuesday and will deliver interim findings in July with a final report by year-end.
The probe will seek testimony from survivors of alleged sexual abuse at the ranch, identify guests and state officials who may have known about or participated in the abuse, and close gaps in New Mexico law that may have allowed Epstein to operate unchecked.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Property Size | 7,600 acres |
| Committee Size | 4 lawmakers (bipartisan) |
| Interim Report | July 2026 |
| Final Report | Year-end 2026 |
| House Vote | Unanimous |
Why It Matters
The investigation adds to mounting political pressure around Epstein’s crimes, weeks after the Justice Department released millions of Epstein-related files that revealed ties between the financier and two former Democratic governors and an attorney general of New Mexico.
Victim advocates say Zorro Ranch has been overlooked by federal investigations that focused primarily on Epstein’s Caribbean island and New York townhouse. Attorney Sigrid McCawley, whose firm has represented hundreds of Epstein survivors including the late Virginia Giuffre, confirmed many survivors experienced abuse at the ranch.
Testimony to the committee could be used for future prosecutions, according to state Representative Andrea Romero, who co-sponsored the initiative.
“He was basically doing anything he wanted in this state without any accountability whatsoever,” Romero said.
