New Mexico Investigates Epstein's Powerful Political Ties

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As police search Jeffrey Epstein's New Mexico ranch for evidence of abuse, attention has focused on the powerful former politicians in the state who continued to meet and receive campaign donations from Epstein long after he became a registered sex offender. Epstein's relationships with state Democratic Party leaders, including two former governors and a state attorney general, and the institutional failings that may have allowed the convicted sex offender to perpetrate abuse at the ranch are under investigation by a New Mexico state "truth commission" - the first of its kind in the country.

Why it matters

Epstein's ties to influential New Mexico politicians raise questions about whether his crimes were enabled by the state's political establishment. The investigation could shed light on how a convicted sex offender was able to maintain such close relationships with powerful figures, even after his initial conviction.

The details

Epstein spent about two months a year at his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, which was allegedly a hub in his sex trafficking of children. He donated over $160,000 to state Democratic campaigns between 2002 and 2014, often being the biggest outside donor. Former Governors Bill Richardson and Gary King, as well as former state Attorney General Gary King, all had contact with Epstein after his first sex offender conviction in 2008.

• In 1993, Epstein bought 7,500 acres of land from three-times New Mexico Governor Bruce King and other members of his powerful political family.
• In 2006, Epstein donated $15,000 to the campaign of Gary King, who was not aware of any reports of wrongdoing by Epstein at the time.
• In 2010, Gary King met with Epstein at a Santa Fe restaurant, where they discussed Epstein's interaction with the Santa Fe Institute.
• When King ran for governor in 2014, Epstein donated $35,600 to the campaign, the largest outside donation, which King later returned.
• In February 2007, when Gary King was in charge of New Mexico law enforcement, FBI agents visited the New Mexico ranch and questioned the manager about "masseuses" Epstein flew in or hired locally.

What they’re saying

What’s next

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez reopened the state's Epstein investigation in February, and the "truth commission" is continuing its probe into Epstein's ties to powerful state politicians.