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Jason Leopold
@jasonleopold.bsky.social
140K followers 840 following 980 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 · 6d
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Email says We are prepared to receive boxes tomorrow, as NY agents are travelling to WFO in the morning, and vill arrive to Winchester where they will start photographing and we will start scanning and processing the physical files. Once I see the volume, I'|l have a better estimate of processing times, although 1 suggest we do a rolling delivery to further demonstrate the FBIls commitment to delivery and transparency.
Reposted by Jason Leopold
emma.best
Shoutout to Bloomberg for reporting on the email I mentioned at the end of the show (see below) in September. www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
let's also look at sex tourism laws.. going someplace with specific intent ot have underage sex --- Mitch Webber <mwebber@law.harvard.edu> wrote: > > Mr. Epstein, > > I'm sorry I was a little confused about > what you were asking on > the phone. I se what you were asking now. The > question is: what would > happen if one were to transport a minor for sex -- > or transport oneself > with the intent to have sex with a minor -- into a > state in which the age > of consent is below eighteen (assuming the minor is > above the age of > consent in the given state)? > > And your intuition was right. The answer > is that there is no > violation of law.
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
snopes.com
FBI documents show the agency spent more than $850,000 on overtime pay for agents tasked with processing and redacting Epstein-related files. Here's how we confirmed the records are authentic:
FBI paid nearly $1M in overtime to redact Epstein files, documents show
Bloomberg reporter Jason Leopold sued the FBI and DOJ for the files as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.
www.snopes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
rascouet.com
Thanks to @jasonleopold.bsky.social for his excellent work and for his professional courtesy in helping me confirm it all, a combo rare enough to deserve a mention.
snopes.com Snopes @snopes.com · 15h
FBI documents show the agency spent more than $850,000 on overtime pay for agents tasked with processing and redacting Epstein-related files. Here's how we confirmed the records are authentic:
FBI paid nearly $1M in overtime to redact Epstein files, documents show
Bloomberg reporter Jason Leopold sued the FBI and DOJ for the files as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.
www.snopes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:04 AM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Dan Bongino responses on X to FBI emails I obtained via FOIA about the processing & redaction of Epstein files, including this one email sent to him.
Bongino posted: Folks, I entered on duty on March 17th. The emails in the chain you see forwarded to me, at my request, were sent before I began in my position. I wanted to review what have been done before I entered on duty. It was a priority and, as you can see, they responded immediately I'm glad that these emails are available for your review.
December 1, 2025 at 11:02 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW: Here's a rare look behind the scenes at the FBI's review of the Epstein files in March, based on emails I obtained via #FOIA. Dan Bongino was copied on an email related to "guidance on the types of redactions to apply."
An email sent to Deputy FBI Director San Bongino copying him on another email in which the FBI sought guidance from its office of general counsel on what redactions to apply to the Epstein files
November 30, 2025 at 4:50 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW via my #FOIA: These are all the divisions at FBI involved in the review of the Epstein files earlier this year. Between March 15 and March 22, 934 FBI agents and other personnel reviewed the recors
The records I got also reveal the number of hours the FBI devoted to the project, which required some agents to work nights and weekends. The FBI paid personnel from various divisions, including counterintelligence and international operations, $851,344 in overtime for working on the Epstein files between March 17 and March 22, according to the documents. The records I got also reveal the number of hours the FBI devoted to the project, which required some agents to work nights and weekends. The FBI paid personnel from various divisions, including counterintelligence and international operations, $851,344 in overtime for working on the Epstein files between March 17 and March 22, according to the documents.
November 30, 2025 at 4:48 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Or read the exact same story about Epstein that was first published by @bloomberg.com on Nov. 1

www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
November 29, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
emma.best
Great get by @jasonleopold.bsky.social

Article: www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

New documents via #FOIA: assets.bwbx.io/documents/us...
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
All of the FBI emails and other documents about the FBI's review of the Epstein Files are linked in the story!

This is a special addition of my newsletter, FOIA Files. Please consider signing up for a free subscription!
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
November 25, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
emptywheel.bsky.social
Lots of useful details in here.
jasonleopold.bsky.social Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 6d
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Email says We are prepared to receive boxes tomorrow, as NY agents are travelling to WFO in the morning, and vill arrive to Winchester where they will start photographing and we will start scanning and processing the physical files. Once I see the volume, I'|l have a better estimate of processing times, although 1 suggest we do a rolling delivery to further demonstrate the FBIls commitment to delivery and transparency.
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Email says We are prepared to receive boxes tomorrow, as NY agents are travelling to WFO in the morning, and vill arrive to Winchester where they will start photographing and we will start scanning and processing the physical files. Once I see the volume, I'|l have a better estimate of processing times, although 1 suggest we do a rolling delivery to further demonstrate the FBIls commitment to delivery and transparency.
November 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW episode of my podcast, Disclosure, is now available for all to listen!

Behind the scenes at the Peace Corps as agency personnel spent two months preparing for a visit by DOGE. Based on dozens of emails I obtained via #FOIA

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Waiting for Doge
Podcast Episode · Disclosure · 11/18/2025 · 43m
podcasts.apple.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
If you have 45 mins to spare, give a listen to the NEW episode of my podcast, Disclosure! My co-host, Matt Topic & went on a deep dive into WH toilets to find out if papers Trump allegedly flushed could be recovered. Based on my epic #FOIA lawsuit!

open.spotify.com/episode/7Aef...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NOTE: This is part of a series of stories based on emails and other documents sent to and from Jeffrey Epstein's private Yahoo account obtained by @bloomberg.com earlier this year. These weren't included in more than 20K pages of docs that a congressional committee released publicly on Nov. 12.
jasonleopold.bsky.social Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 11d
NEW/EXCLUSIVE: A French branch of HSBC closed a bank account maintained by Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 after compliance officers flagged transactions for suspicious activity, including payments tied to a modeling agent later accused of rape & sex trafficking
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account. The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account.
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
To be clear, the Epstein files are digitized and are stored on FBI servers. But some in the public may be unaware given the social media comments.
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW FOIA Files newsletter is out! A scooplet!

FBI Deploys Police to Guard Facility Where Epstein Files Are Stored

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
FBI Deploys Police to Guard Facility Where Epstein Files Are Stored
Officers were tasked with guarding the building and personnel after some social media comments called for protests or other methods to secure the files if names are scrubbed from the documents.
www.bloomberg.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
NEW/EXCLUSIVE: A French branch of HSBC closed a bank account maintained by Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 after compliance officers flagged transactions for suspicious activity, including payments tied to a modeling agent later accused of rape & sex trafficking
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account. The letter says We hereby inform you that we do not intent to maintain our relationship and notify you this day, subject to a one-month notification period, the end of our banking contract for your account in existence since December 22", 2006. that is with effect on January 21", 2008. Consequently, after this period is over, you should retumn all unused checks still in your possession and provide us with your new banking references, in order to enable us to wire the amount remaining on your account upon closing date. If not provided, we will issue a certified check for said amount, Furthermore, we would like to have communication of the list of drawn checks which may still be presented for payment on your account, so as to keep sufficient and useful amount in order to avoid your account to become in debit. Failing that, your checks will be rejected. The end of our banking contract occurring at HSBC's request, no charge will be invoiced for the closing down of your account.
November 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
podcastdelivery.com
Listen here 👇
Disclosure
Listen to Disclosure.
episodes.fm
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
podcastdelivery.com
Explore how Russian pranksters duped a top official and what happens to flushed White House documents. Join FOIA expert jasonleopold.bsky.social and attorney mvtopic.bsky.social as they reveal hidden government secrets and the battles to uncover them.
Disclosure
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
Saw Patti Smith last night in LA. She is an absolute legend. Spectacular show.
November 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
The professionals who surrounded Jeffrey Epstein defended and deflected, coached and countermessaged, burnished and polished. Together, they helped extend Epstein’s influence and freedom, even lending an air of invincibility. 

This is "The Network"
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Jeffrey Epstein Leaned on His Elite Network for Help as Investigators Closed In
A cache of 18,000 messages shows the elite support the disgraced financier got in his “hour of terror.”
www.bloomberg.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
In 2019, in Jeffrey Epstein’s last weeks of freedom, he made his final purchases for his Kindle: a guide to raising children, though he wasn’t known to have any, The Annotated Lolita and Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
November 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Jason Leopold
agordon.me
New from me: Global Entry revocations are surging in the last ~2 years, well outpacing enrollment, according to data from a FOIA. People often don't know why their membership was revoked. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
From the first @bloomberg.com story in Sept on Jeffrey Epstein's Yahoo emails we obtained

A spreadsheet that reveals 2K gifts, luxury items & payments totaling $1.8M. Notations indicated they were intended for Epstein’s friends, biz associates & victims

1/
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Jeffrey Epstein Email Trove Reveals Ghislaine Maxwell’s Secrets
A cache of 18,000 messages obtained by Bloomberg News reveals Maxwell’s deep ties and involvement with the disgraced financier and sex offender.
www.bloomberg.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
jasonleopold.bsky.social
“I’m the chief law enforcement officer of the country,” Trump said of requesting the Epstein investigation. “Not that I want to use that, but I am the chief law enforcement agent in the country, and I’m allowed to do it.”

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
‘I know nothing about that.' Trump responds to Epstein email saying 'he knew about the girls'
Trump also said he hasn’t thought about pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, the Epstein associate in prison on charges related to sex trafficking.
www.usatoday.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM