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Jason Leopold
@jasonleopold.bsky.social
140K followers 850 following 1.1K posts
Investigative Reporter, Bloomberg News. "FOIA terrorist." Subscribe to my newsletter, FOIA Files and my FOIA podcast, Disclosure.

Signal: JasonLeopold.666

http://swap.fm/l/O8A3zzBKsGWpqLtjzLSF
https://www.bloomberg.com/foiafiles
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jasonleopold.bsky.social
Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · Oct 31
🚨 EXPLOSIVE NEW investigation: We uncovered previously undisclosed details about an 18-month money laundering investigation into Jeffrey Epstein that took place alongside the 2007 sex crimes probe, according to emails obtained from Epstein's personal Yahoo account
🎁 www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Jeffrey Epstein Went to War Over Money Laundering Probe in 2007 Sex Case
Federal prosecutors opened a financial-crimes investigation into Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 amid their larger sex-trafficking probe. The financier and his legal team waged a war against them, his emails ...
www.bloomberg.com
Reposted by Jason Leopold
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW: One of Dubai’s Most Powerful Executives Discussed Sex, Business With Epstein

Among an elite network that corresponded with Epstein, few kept in communication with him as long as Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Here’s what the emails reveal

🎁
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
February 10, 2026 at 6:15 AM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW: One of Dubai’s Most Powerful Executives Discussed Sex, Business With Epstein

Among an elite network that corresponded with Epstein, few kept in communication with him as long as Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Here’s what the emails reveal

🎁
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
February 10, 2026 at 6:15 AM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
EPSTEIN Files: As FBI agents and other personnel were reviewing the files last year, Kash Patel asked them to find out if Epstein was ever an FBI confidential human source.

Response: "Per searches conducted by NYO and the DNI all searches for 'Jeffrey E. Epstein were negative."
February 6, 2026 at 9:59 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW: The Epstein files released last week includes hundreds of pages of docs that lays bare the behind-the-scenes chaos at the FBI early last year over the review of the files & questions on what should be redacted related to victims and public figures
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
An email from FBI document reviewers on the Epstein files project begging for guidance on what information they should disclose and what information should be redacted. The email says, in part,“Some photographs depict: victims, unknown-unidentified females and males, former U.S. Presidents, Secretary of State, and other celebrities.”
February 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
rhjameson.bsky.social
Gift Link /Free to Read

Newsletter
FOIA Files

Epstein Files Review Was Totally Chaotic

Documents from the cache of files on Jeffrey Epstein released last week shed light on how the US govt reviewed and redacted them.
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet... via @bloomberg.com @jasonleopold.bsky.social
Epstein Files Review Was Totally Chaotic
Documents from the cache of files on Jeffrey Epstein released last week shed light on how the US government reviewed and redacted them.
www.bloomberg.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
davidgura.bsky.social
What’s in the “Epstein Files,” and what isn’t, with the great @jasonleopold.bsky.social:
What Is (And Isn’t) in the Latest Epstein Files Release
open.spotify.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
davidgura.bsky.social
What Is (And Isn’t) in the Latest Epstein Files Release
Podcast Episode · Big Take · 02/02/2026 · 18m
podcasts.apple.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
davidgura.bsky.social
When @jasonleopold.bsky.social told me the Justice Department inexplicably redacted the “J.P.” from “J.P. Morgan” in a J.P. Morgan research note, I didn’t believe him.

But here it is:
February 3, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
rhjameson.bsky.social
Newsletter
FOIA Files
How Lost 1930s-Era Paintings Owned By US Government Were Recovered

The General Services Administration has a program to find misplaced or stolen New Deal-era artwork owned by the US government.
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet... via @bloomberg.com @jasonleopold.bsky.social
How Lost 1930s-Era Paintings Owned By US Government Were Recovered
The General Services Administration has a program to find misplaced or stolen New Deal-era artwork owned by the US government. According to documents we obtained through the FOIA, the agency recovered...
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:05 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW: The House Oversight Committee just formally issued a subpoena to Darren Indyke (who filed the #FOIA request) Epstein's personal atty & co-executor of his estate as well as subpoenas to billionaire Les Wexner and Epstein's accountant Richard Kahn, the other co-executor of his Epstein's estate.
Subpoena to Les Wexner for a deposition Subpoena to Darren Indyke for his deposition Subpoena to Richard Kahn for his deposition
January 23, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
rhjameson.bsky.social
FOIA Files
Epstein Filed a FOIA Request

Sought docs on “how, why, or when Epstein was selected to be a subject of any such monitoring, surveillance, observation, questioning, interrogation, investigation.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet... via @bloomberg.com @jasonleopold.bsky.social
Jeffrey Epstein Filed a FOIA Request About Surveillance in 2014
The request to Customs and Border Protection sought documents that would shed light on “how, why, or when Epstein was selected to be a subject of any such monitoring, surveillance, observation, questi...
www.bloomberg.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:35 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW FOIA Files newsletter is out! Jeffrey Epstein Filed a #FOIA Request in 2014

The request to CBP sought docs on "how, why, or when Epstein was selected to be a subject of monitoring, surveillance, observation, questioning, interrogation, investigation"

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Jeffrey Epstein Filed a FOIA Request About Surveillance in 2014
The request to Customs and Border Protection sought documents that would shed light on “how, why, or when Epstein was selected to be a subject of any such monitoring, surveillance, observation, questi...
www.bloomberg.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:40 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Happy #FOIAing Trump's first-term presidential records day to those who celebrate!
January 20, 2026 at 2:45 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW FOIA Files newsletter is out! Get ready to #FOIA Trump's first-term presidential records!

Jan. 20, 2026 is a big day for government document junkies.

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Trump’s First-Term Presidential Records Subject to FOIA Next Week
Under the Presidential Records Act, the records of presidents, vice presidents and their staff become accessible through the FOIA five years after the end of administration.
www.bloomberg.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
jacobharr.is
Lots of people with no experience being hired at the GS-15 level. If you see a lot of $167,603 or $195,200 salaries, this is why

www.opm.gov/policy-data-...
www.opm.gov
January 10, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
jacobharr.is
Thanks to a FOIAed spreadsheet from @jasonleopold.bsky.social at www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet..., I have updated the DOGE Tracker with a lot more info on who was getting paid.

dogetrack.info/people/paid-...

The myth of everybody working for free is a lie. Many were appointed GS-15 max salary
Data Reveals Details About DOGE, Government Hiring in 2025
The IRS hired 1,313 employees in January 2025. Over the next two months the agency laid off 11,000 workers, or about 11% of its workforce. Additionally, the data identifies employees tied to DOGE.
www.bloomberg.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:37 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW FOIA Files newsletter is out! This week, I invited my @bloomberg.com colleague @agordon.me to break down data I obtained related to DOGE & govt hiring that took me nearly a year to pry loose.

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Data Reveals Details About DOGE, Government Hiring in 2025
The IRS hired 1,313 employees in January 2025. Over the next two months the agency laid off 11,000 workers, or about 11% of its workforce. Additionally, the data identifies employees tied to DOGE.
www.bloomberg.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Throwback to one of my epic document(s) scores related to Jan. 6

www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jaso...
Capitol Police Said That Unrest Was "Highly Improbable" Ahead Of The Insurrection
BuzzFeed News has exclusively obtained the permits Capitol Police issued for protests on Capitol grounds for Jan. 6 — a rare window into a secretive organization and its most consequential day.
www.buzzfeednews.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
2025 FOIA Files Recap: It's been a devastating year for the #FOIA. Agencies gutted or eviscerated their FOIA offices & fired staff. But thanks to the incredibly hard work of FOIA officers across the govt I managed to pry loose some important docs. Here are the highlights. Thank you FOIA officers!
🧵
December 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Another reminder that FBI tasked 934 agents and other personnel to review & redact Epstein files between March & May & prepare the docs for public release. FBI paid $851K in OT/premium pay for a week's worth of work. Via my #FOIA
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
This email says IMD Specialized Project Updates Status Update Thank you for your support and rallying together to accompish the mission. As of 2:36pm, Phase 2 review of the new criteria provided by DOJ was approximately 75.2% complete. Upon compietion of Phase 2, iMD wili provide a copy of aill see-through redaction files for DOJ review, We will communicaite when all Phase 2 redaction is compiete. inti completion. we request the project team continue Phase 2 efforts and ieadership plan for continued coverage as appropriate for compietion tonight. We will continue to update on progress, and appreciate everyone's efforf. This email says IMD Specialized Project Updates Status Update Thank you for your continued support throughout this project. IMD continues to work through Phase 2 Review for final delivery to DOJ. At this time, all Phase 1 redactions are complete, and non-IMD project teams can be released. We ask each site/division provide a POC to this email, who will be available for the remainder of today, in the event we need additional assistance later today. Thank you again for supporting this effort. This email provides a status update and raises questions about the Epstein files review This email says that have FBI director Kash Patel is seeking updates on the Epstein files review
December 24, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
emma.best
Further confirmation of Epstein money laundering investigations first reported by @jasonleopold.bsky.social, @dmehro.bsky.social and the other folks at @bloomberg.com

(Document: EFTA00037469)
December 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW episode of my podcast Disclosure is out!

One Xmas, my co-host @mvtopic.bsky.social requested the first 25 pages of docs located from a search of the FBI's investigative files referencing “Santa Claus.” The FBI responded by saying they never heard of the guy

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Asking the FBI to Release the Santa Files
Podcast Episode · Disclosure · 12/16/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
theweekendprime.bsky.social
TONIGHT AT 8: FOIA expert @jasonleopold.bsky.social joins to discuss the widespread redactions throughout the Epstein files. Plus, former Time photo editor Emily Keegan on the viral White House Vanity Fair photoshoot that broke the internet.
December 20, 2025 at 9:07 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
🚨 Epstein Files: In his letter to Congress, Todd Blanche says docs were withheld under the deliberative process, atty-client privilege & atty work product. In #FOIA that's the equivalent of a B5 exemption.

🧵
In addition to the bases for withholding or redacting under the Act, the Department has withheld and redacted a limited amount of information otherwise covered by various privileges, including deliberative-process privilege, work-product privilege, and attorney-client privilege, These privileges are based in common law---not statutes---and Congress is fully aware of them. See Fed. R. Evid. 501; Trammel v. United States, 445 U.S. 40, 47 (1980) ("In... enacting Rule 501, Congress manifested an affirmative intention not to freeze the law of privilege."). It is a long-held principle that Congress speaks clearly when it intends to abrogate a common law principle or privilege. See Bassett v. United States, 137 U.$. 496, 505-06 (1890) ("[B ]efore any departure from the rule affirmed through the ages of the common law---a rule having its solid foundation in the best interests of society- can be adjudged, the language declaring the legislative will should be so clear as to prevent doubt as to its intent and limit."). Although the Act broadly categorizes items required to be produced, the Act does not include language expressly requiring the Department to produce privileged materials. See Sec. 2(a); Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, 597 U.S. 629, 642 (2022) ("Congress expresses its intentions Page 2 of 6 through statutory text passed by both Houses and signed by the President."). A privilege log will be produced in due course as required under the Act
December 20, 2025 at 3:53 AM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Epstein Files countdown: What should the files reveal? For one, details about this previously undisclosed money laundering investigation conducted by the US Atty in Fla in 2007 & 2008. My @bloomberg.com colleagues & I uncovered details of this unknown probe in Oct

www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
FRoM: jeffrey epstein <littlestjeff@yahoo.com> To: jcayne@ ", henry jarecki < DATE: Fri. Nov 16 2007 9:08 AM SUBJECT: this is how crazy 1.my team consists of professionals with over 250 years of criminal experience. In an abundance of care , we have alsc consulted with outside ethics experts.and former iustice dept officials .The clear and unanimous consensus is they find the conduct outrageous and frankly not one of them , has been able to recall seeing anything like this before.. .2. After the state had conducted its own investigation and returned a grand jury indictment.,the federal gov't , while adamantly refusino to coordinate with the dulv elected district attorney, and his sex prosecutor of 13 years, ,, engaged in a virtual extortion to force the defendant and his counsel to go the state ,and in a wholly unprecedented step, demand , himself that he be charged with a crime greater than the state and grand jury thought appropriate. They then further demanded he obtain. from the state a sentence much areater than the state and its officials wanted., including having to register as a sex offender, a position that the state adamantly opposed. They then compounded their outrageous behavior by then demanding that Epstein pay an unnamed 1ist of people ""alleaed victims"".. a minimum of 150 thousand dollars each. No matter what their actual damages. Thev then refused the defendant, even the right to contact these adults.or conduct his own investigation. This was demanded in exchange for the gov't not prosecuting him for crimes, that they , the feds admittedlv could onlv make the most tenuous connection to. The ausa then suggested the defendant be reauired to hire one of her friends as a continency lawyer, to , be paid for by the defendant to actuallv sue the defendant himself .on behalf of a 1ist of adults that she would only make avaliable after sentencing.. They threatened to use the sex tourism statute 2423 ( with a min mandatory sentence of 10 years) , and apply it to a man going to his home in Florida, a state where he has had a home for twenty years. They also threatened , to bring a case based on the Internet luring statute.2422 that would have to be tortured and stretched bevond all recognition to apply.( in fact there was no internet use at all). They demanded a jail sentence for someone , who had no criminal history,, no violence , drugs, no position of authority, then when they were confronted with an extensive brief as to why these statutes did not applv. they threatened to bring a money crime based on a illegal money transmitting business, even though no such business ever actuallv existed.. After subpoenaing his tax returns , and medical records, they then suggested a money laundering charge or a host of others including the mann act, obstruction etc. , even though they were unable to even postulate the minimum prerequisitie of a specified unlawful activity,.
December 18, 2025 at 10:37 PM