New Mexico lawmakers launched an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch Tuesday over allegations the late convicted sex offender trafficked and sexually abused girls and women at the sprawling property outside Santa Fe.
The big picture: It's "critical" that the first full investigation into what happened at the ranch provides a platform to "uncover the truth" about what happened there and for survivors to see justice, state Rep. Andrea Romero (D) tells Axios.
Context: Epstein owned the property from 1993 until his 2019 death in a New York prison cell while awaiting trial on charges related to the sex trafficking of minors, building a massive mansion on the site that spans across more than 7,600 acres.
- "Zorro Ranch" appears numerous times in the Epstein files that the Department of Justice publicly released.
- Epstein accuser Annie Farmer alleged in testimony at the 2021 trial of Ghislaine Maxwell that his since-convicted co-conspirator abused her at the ranch when she was 16 years old. Farmer has also accused Epstein of abusing her there.
- A New Mexico criminal investigation ended in 2019 with no charges filed.
Driving the news: It's "extremely important" that lawmakers learn what happened at the ranch after the case had for "many years" been "mishandled and pushed out of the purview," said Romero, a co-sponsor of the bipartisan bill that unanimously passed in the N.M. House Monday.
- The panel's "Truth Commission" is seeking testimony from survivors at the ranch that's some 30 miles south of the state capital and Romero vowed that the committee would publicly name suspected perpetrators.
- "There were clearly activities that took place here under the guise of Jeffrey Epstein ... and other perpetrators," Romero said in a Monday evening phone interview.
- The bipartisan nature of this investigatory subcommittee "allows us to be extremely objective," per Romero.
What we're watching: The New Mexico Department of Justice wrote to the DOJ last week seeking unredacted access to an anonymous 2019 email that alleged two "foreign girls" were buried at Zorro Ranch.
- The family of former Dallas-area Texas Sen. Don Huffines (R), which now owns the property, told media in the Lone Star State Monday it would fully cooperate with N.M. officials if they wanted to search the property.
- A goal of the committee will be to gather information that could be used in a court of law, according to Romero.
- Romero noted that the statute of limitations may have passed in some instances related to the case, but said state lawmakers were already looking at changing legislation in regards to this "to help survivors see justice."
State of play: The House bill that passed Monday has two sponsors from the Democratic Party; Romero, who represents Santa Fe, and Albuquerque Rep. Marianna Anaya; and two Republicans, Clovis Rep. Andrea Reeb and Aztec Rep. Bill Hall.
- The special state House committee is empowered to "investigate allegations of criminal activity and public corruption," according to the resolution.
- The state House "is concerned that the failure to investigate the alleged criminal activity at Zorro ranch and the risk of potential consequences of that activity continue to affect the safety and welfare of the state and that continued legislative inaction threatens public confidence in state government," it says.
Of note: Under N.M. law, it doesn't need state Senate approval indispensable power of inquiry, as either chamber can "conduct investigative procedures to secure information necessary to legislate," the resolution notes.
What's next: The first committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning and the resolution requires that an interim report be submitted to state House leadership on or before July 31.
- A final report to all House members is expected on or before Dec. 31, which the resolution notes will include the committee's recommendations.
Go deeper: Epstein files end business, political careers across globe
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.
Axios' Russell Contreras contributed reporting.
