A high-ranking FBI official accuses the justice system of having “turned a blind eye” to Jeffrey Epstein in a leaked audio recording. Rami Hasan, a senior FBI official, says that “you can see where the law enforcement either turned a blind eye… or missed things (on Jeffrey Epstein)”. In the same recording, he describes the FBI as “a shit show”.
The statements come as the Trump administration’s handling of Epstein documents draws sharp criticism from both the president’s supporters and opponents, after Attorney General Pam Bondi previously promised to release extensive material that is now claimed not to exist.
Internal criticism of FBI’s Epstein investigation
In the leaked audio recording, published by O’Keefe Media Group, Hasan says:
– You can see where the law enforcement either turned a blind eye… or missed things (on Jeffrey Epstein).
Jeffrey Epstein was the American-Jewish financier who was accused of extensive sex trafficking of minors before he suddenly died in his cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
– There is opportunities there, just from like hearing and listening, Hasan says in the recording according to O’Keefe Media Group regarding the investigation.
When asked if he believes Epstein was murdered, Hasan responds:
– I think he just killed himself… I mean, even the FBI came out and said he killed himself.
Hasan also commented on how government officials allowed influencers and internet personalities to distribute Epstein-related documents, which he called “messy” and said lacked clarity and professionalism.
Scandals surrounding the Epstein case
Jeffrey Epstein, who reportedly died in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in August 2019 while awaiting trial, has become the subject of extensive questioning regarding the circumstances of his death. The official conclusion that he committed suicide has faced widespread criticism and been surrounded by mysterious circumstances.
In July, the Department of Justice and FBI released a joint report claiming that there is no longer any “client list” of Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators, and that there is also no evidence that he was murdered. The report also established that no further charges are expected in the case.
Criticism of Bondi’s handling
Hasan’s statements come as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces growing criticism for her previous claims about Epstein material. In February, Bondi admitted in a Fox News interview that she had a “client list” on her desk that she would review. Later, she claimed that the government had “tens of thousands” of Epstein-related videos in its possession involving sex with children.
These statements directly contradict a recently presented report from the Department of Justice and FBI, which now conversely claims that no such client list exists at all, and that all available investigative material has already been accounted for.
Internal conflicts at the FBI
Tensions have also reached the FBI’s leadership. According to Fox News, a heated discussion arose between FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House on Wednesday regarding the handling of Epstein files.
Both Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel had previously, before taking their current positions, questioned the official version of Epstein’s death. Since taking their posts, however, they have publicly maintained that Epstein took his own life.
When President Trump was asked about the Epstein case during a government meeting this week, he said irritably: “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?” and called the deceased financier “a creep”.
Source behind the leak
O’Keefe Media Group was founded by James O’Keefe after he left Project Veritas in 2023. The FBI and the US Department of Justice have reportedly been contacted by O’Keefe Media Group regarding Hasan's statements, but have not yet commented on the leak.
