New Mexico attorney general sues U.S. Justice Department alleging delays in Epstein-related investigation records

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has sued the U.S. Department of Justice and acting attorney general Todd Blanche, alleging the federal government has failed to meet deadlines tied to New Mexico’s criminal probe of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged activities at a remote ranch in the state, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The lawsuit contends that the Justice Department “stonewall[ed]” New Mexico’s request for key Epstein ranch files, after the state asserted that the federal agency appeared to ignore a deadline for producing or processing the materials New Mexico had sought for its criminal investigation, according to the report.

Torrez’s filing directs the dispute into federal court and names both the Justice Department and the acting attorney general, The Guardian said. The state’s grievance is framed as an interference with the pace of its own investigative work, rather than a challenge to any single criminal charging decision.

The Guardian’s account places the conflict in the context of records needed to carry forward a state criminal investigation involving Epstein, a case with long-running allegations and a variety of related federal and state inquiries. The report describes New Mexico’s effort as seeking access to documents it believes are necessary to determine what happened at the ranch and whether other crimes may be addressed under state law.

Because the story’s central point is an alleged lack of compliance with deadlines and record-production obligations, the practical near-term effect would be determined by what the court orders regarding document handling and timelines, if any. The outcome could affect how quickly New Mexico can review materials and decide next steps in its state case.

At present, The Guardian report provides the primary narrative source for the suit as described. An official court filing, docket entry, or Justice Department statement was not included in the provided materials, and Apex has not confirmed the specific legal claims or relief requested beyond the report’s summary. Further review of the complaint would be required to verify the asserted deadline, the exact categories of records at issue, and the jurisdiction and legal basis for the requested order.