A woman in 1996 had filed a complaint with the FBI regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s interest in “child pornography,” however, the agency never publicly acknowledged her report. Maria Farmer has long said she contacted federal investigators nearly a decade before authorities began a full investigation into the convicted sex offender’s abuse. Some observers even questioned her account. Farmer, talking to the New York Times, claimed the complaint detailed Epstein stealing photographs and negatives of her younger sisters, who were 16 and 12 at the time. Some images were reportedly taken for her personal artwork.Farmer’s sister, Annie Farmer, had also testified during Maxwell’s trial, recounting her experiences at Epstein’s New Mexico ranch. She stated that Epstein got into bed with her at age 16 to “cuddle” and that Maxwell once massaged her bare chest.According to the handwritten FBI report, Epstein also asked Farmer to take photographs of young girls at swimming pools and threatened to “burn her house down” if she told anyone. Farmer later cut ties with Epstein after alleging sexual assault by him and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Authorities ignored her warnings for decades
Farmer has said she contacted federal investigators nearly a decade before a broader investigation into Epstein began. “I’ve waited 30 years,” she said, as quoted by The New York Times. “I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.” Farmer expressed relief at being “vindicated” but said the government’s failure to act caused lasting harm, adding, “They should be ashamed. They harmed all of these little girls.”
Alleged ties to Trump and Clinton
Farmer also urged authorities to investigate Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.Also Read: Epstein files drop: Spoiler alert – it’s mostly ████████ She recalled seeing Trump at Epstein’s New York office in 1995, stating he stared at her legs while she wore running shorts. Epstein reportedly intervened, telling Trump, “No, no. She’s not here for you.” Farmer later heard Trump remark that he thought she was 16 years old.
Experts call for probe into FBI’s handling
Brad Edwards, a lawyer representing many Epstein victims, criticized the government for ignoring Farmer’s 1996 complaint, stating that the case could have stopped Epstein decades earlier. “There should be a full-fledged investigation into every government employee who knew about this document and allowed a narrative to be publicized that it did not exist,” Edwards said.An internal Justice Department review released in 2020 did not reference Farmer’s complaint. In the newly released FBI report, her name is redacted and she is described only as a professional artist hired by Epstein to acquire artwork.
