New Epstein files show Maria Farmer alerted FBI years before first formal probe into financier
In 1996, Maria Farmer bravely became the first woman to go to authorities about Epstein. She warned that he stole photos of her 12 and 14 year old sisters to possibly sell.
— Jacqueline Sweet (@JSweetLI) December 19, 2025
I just spoke to her and she says she is “over the moon” this has come out and she is crying with her… https://t.co/c2YCccm0uN
WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Justice (DOJ) released thousands of new records related to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, December 19. The latest update highlights an original complaint filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 1996. The complaint was submitted by Maria Farmer, who previously worked for Epstein.
According to the newly released document, Farmer accused Epstein of misconduct. She alleged that he stole photographs she had taken of her sisters, who were 12 and 16 years old at the time. The FBI report states that the complainant believed the photographs were later sold. A handwritten note in the file reads, “Epstein stole the photos and negatives.”
Farmer claimed she only heard from the FBI a decade later, after which a full investigation led to Epstein’s 2008 Florida plea deal.
DOJ files include Maria Farmer's original FBI complaint
The complaint filed by Maria Farmer was done back in September 3, 1996. It alleges that Epstein asked her to photograph young girls at swimming pools, and later threatened her, warning that he would 'burn her house down' if she disclosed the existence of the photos, as per New York Times.
Lawyers for Maria have confirmed that she was the complainant named in the report. In May, she sued the federal government, accusing authorities of failing to protect her and other victims. The lawsuit says she told the FBI that Epstein stole and sold private photos of her sisters, NBC News reported.
For years, she maintained that she contacted the FBI, but they never publicly acknowledged her report. “I’ve waited 30 years,” she said. “I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.” She expressed anger and frustration that the authorities did not act sooner. “They should be ashamed,” she said. “They harmed all of these little girls. That part devastates me.”
In the newly released report, Maria’s name is blacked out and she is identified only as a professional artist. The document notes that she was hired by Epstein to source artwork for him.
JOJustice Department opens public access to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell case files
Thousands of pages of records linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell have been made public. The DOJ released the material on a newly created government website in line with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The documents were published ahead of Congress’s deadline and rank among the largest releases linked to the Epstein investigations so far.
According to the DOJ, the files are neatly split into four segments - Freedom of Information Act releases and documents previously shared by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
