New Mexico Launches Truth Commission to Probe Zorro Ranch Epstein Ties
New Mexico Launches Truth Commission to Probe Zorro Ranch Epstein Ties
Lawmakers in Santa Fe form a bipartisan truth commission to investigate Zorro Ranch and alleged abuse linked to Jeffrey Epstein, inviting survivors to testify.
In a bid to uncover what happened at Zorro Ranch, New Mexico lawmakers approved legislation to launch the state's first full investigation into allegations of trafficking and sexual abuse linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, passed by the House in a bipartisan vote, creates a four-member truth commission with subpoena power and a mandate to hear from survivors and local residents who want to share their accounts.
The commission will seek to identify ranch guests and state officials who may have known what was happening at the 7,600-acre property, including activities at the hacienda-style mansion and its guest houses. It aims to determine how long abuses may have continued and who bore responsibility for oversight.
Located about 30 miles south of Santa Fe, the ranch has long been at the center of investigations into Epstein's activities. The new legislation signals lawmakers' intent to close gaps in state law and ensure accountability for past misconduct tied to the property.
Support for the measure came from lawmakers across party lines. The plan also comes amid renewed focus on Epstein's case following the release of federal files that shed light on his network and possible ties to public figures in New Mexico. While the truth commission is not a criminal prosecution, it could create a public record and offer recommendations to strengthen protections for survivors.
Officials say the process will value survivors' voices and encourage local residents to testify, ensuring witnesses feel safe to come forward. If successful, the investigation could broaden scrutiny of who visited Zorro Ranch and what those visits imply about oversight and governance in New Mexico at the time.
