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FBI Ordered NYPD to Halt Epstein Investigations in 2019

2/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Emails from July 10–11, 2019 show the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) instructed New York law enforcement, including the District Attorney's Office and New York Police Department's Special Victims Unit, to halt Epstein investigations.
A message obtained by Just Security states NYPD was told to stand down and direct Epstein matters to the FBI.
The District Attorney's Office could pursue its own investigation.
Epstein died in prison in August 2019.

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Story summary

Emails from July 10–11, 2019 show the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) instructed New York law enforcement, including the District Attorney's Office and New York Police Department's Special Victims Unit, to halt Epstein investigations.
A message obtained by Just Security states NYPD was told to stand down and direct Epstein matters to the FBI.
The District Attorney's Office could pursue its own investigation.
Epstein died in prison in August 2019.