Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and several other high-profile figures are once again being drawn into public discussion after the Department of Justice began releasing new materials tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
On Friday (Dec. 19), the DOJ started unsealing documents and images connected to Epstein, including photographs that show the late financier and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell socializing with prominent celebrities and political figures. Among those visible in the newly released images are pop icon Michael Jackson, legendary singer Diana Ross, former President Bill Clinton, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and more.
The Justice Department did not accuse any of the individuals pictured of wrongdoing, nor did it provide a detailed context for when or why the photos were taken.
The document dump includes a 96-page incident report from the Palm Beach Police Department that outlines the earliest stages of law enforcement’s investigation into Epstein. Much of the material remains heavily redacted, and several individuals appearing in the images are obscured or unnamed. Authorities have not publicly identified those censored figures, though some observers speculate they may include Epstein’s victims or private individuals whose identities are being protected.
The DOJ stressed that the presence of well-known figures in the files should not be interpreted as evidence of criminal behavior. Officials noted that Epstein often moved within elite social circles and that many of the records being released reflect social encounters rather than documented illegal activity.
The department also made clear that the current batch of documents represents only part of the overall archive. Additional records related to the Epstein case are expected to be unsealed before the end of the year, suggesting more disclosures could follow.
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and Maxwell was later convicted for helping to facilitate his abuse network.