Mom quits job to analyze millions of Epstein documents

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

NEW YORK, USA — Ellie Leonard, an American citizen journalist, has resigned from her job to dedicate herself full-time to analyzing the massive trove of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Leonard, who previously worked at her son's school, is now part of a global network of independent researchers sifting through millions of pages to uncover details often overlooked by mainstream media, with a primary focus on finding justice for the victims.

A massive archive of 3.5 million pages

The latest release, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Donald Trump, includes approximately 3.5 million pages of documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos. While the files contain names of high-profile figures such as Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and Elon Musk, Leonard emphasizes that appearing in the documents does not inherently imply criminal activity.

"I have to get used to the idea that I won't be able to look at all 3.5 million pages myself," Leonard told the BBC. To manage the workload, she collaborates with over 1,000 volunteers from countries ranging from South Korea to Norway via a Substack project.

"I will believe the victims"

Leonard’s primary motivation is to validate the stories of victims who have long been ignored. Unlike many who focus on celebrity gossip, her team looks for corroborating evidence in emails and internal communications.

"When women or victims come forward and tell their stories, I will believe them. I will give them a chance," Leonard said. "Then I will start investigating what they said to find these things. I think verifying their stories in this way is really important."

She advises her team to avoid the most sensational parts of the files that circulate on social media. "I always tell people to spread out and start from the middle or the end and work backwards, because everything is disorganized," she explained.

Corroborating 30-year-old claims

The citizen journalists' meticulous approach has already yielded results. Leonard highlighted the case of Maria Farmer, one of the first women to report Epstein to the authorities.

"Maria Farmer gave a statement to the FBI in 1996. Now we can see the FBI report. This shows that what she said was true and confirms what she has been saying for decades," Leonard noted. Farmer had alleged that Epstein stole photos of her underage sister and threatened to burn down her house if she spoke out.

From classical philology to forensic analysis

Drawing on her background in Classical Philology, Leonard applies analytical skills to the chaotic documentation. She also consults with professional journalists to ensure her work meets ethical standards.

"I am a mom, and I will do whatever it takes to make the world a better and safer place for my children," Leonard said, expressing hope that the investigation will finally bring closure. "There must be an end for these victims, and justice must be served."

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