Epstein victims urge US Congress to pass bill requiring release of documents

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein demanded on Wednesday that the U.S. Congress pass legislation forcing the release of all unclassified records related to the disgraced financier held by President Donald Trump's administration.

"This is about ending secrecy wherever abuse of power takes root," said Anouska De Georgiou, a former model and actress who was one of about 10 self-described Epstein victims who spoke about her experience at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.

"The only reason that I am here is because it feels like the people that matter in this country finally care what we have to say," said Marina Lacerda, an immigrant from Brazil who met Epstein when she was 14 after a friend told her she could make hundreds of dollars for massaging an older man.

The women said they supported legislation in the House of Representatives called the Epstein Files Transparency Bill requiring the release of records, including those held by the FBI and U.S. attorneys' offices.

"Survivors need protection, resources and legal support. If this Congress is serious about justice, then let this moment also affirm your commitment to provide victims with the legal aid they need," De Georgiou said at a press conference organized by Republican Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democrat Ro Khanna of California, who are trying to force a vote on that bill.

House Republican leaders are trying to head off a potentially difficult debate for their rank-and-file members on that legislation, which Trump says would provide no significant, new revelations on the long-running criminal case.

"Thousands of pages of documents have been given. But it's really a Democrat hoax," Trump said in a White House Oval Office appearance on Wednesday.

Survivors stressed that their stories are real.

The controversy over the Department of Justice withholding Epstein files has dogged Trump throughout much of this summer, with some of his core supporters demanding their release.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has sought a different route that simply offers a vote on a resolution backing an Epstein investigation already underway by a House panel.
Massie called that "the oldest trick in the swamp."