// Reuters
In accordance with the new law, a bipartisan committee of four lawmakers will be formed to gather testimonies from alleged victims of violence as well as local residents. Zorro Ranch is located approximately 50 kilometers south of the state capital, Santa Fe. The commission plans to determine which guests and officials may have been aware of what was happening on the ranch or involved in the alleged crimes.
Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 in a New York prison under circumstances considered a suicide, was under investigation for charges of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
The ranch in New Mexico had previously not attracted the attention of federal investigations, which focused on Epstein's private island in the Caribbean and his townhouse in New York. However, attorney Sigrid McCauley, representing the interests of hundreds of victims, claims that many of the affected individuals encountered violence specifically in New Mexico, and local politicians may have been aware of what was happening.
Andrea Romero, a Democratic state legislator and one of the initiative's co-authors, noted that Epstein "essentially could do whatever he wanted in this state without fear of accountability." She added that the testimonies collected by the committee could be used in future legal proceedings.
Earlier, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of documents related to Epstein, allowing for a new perspective on events at the ranch. The bill was unanimously passed by the New Mexico House of Representatives and, according to Reuters, could pose risks for politicians and other influential figures connected to Epstein who visited his ranch.
The committee's work will begin on Tuesday, with preliminary results expected in July and a final report by the end of the year. Epstein is accused in several civil lawsuits of sexually abusing minors at Zorro Ranch; however, specific charges in these cases have not been brought against him.
