DOJ — the hidden bin Sulayem name in the Epstein files: request answered as if it were for "the Epstein files," nothing released, appealed (FOIA-2026-04080)
What we asked for: Two specific records: (1) the unredacted copy of the Epstein-related correspondence in which the name of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem had been blacked out in DOJ's earlier release, and (2) the decision or memo that approved that blackout and stated which FOIA exemption was used and why. The request noted that the name had since been publicly confirmed, so the reason for hiding it no longer held.
What we got: A form letter that did not deal with either record. DOJ described the request as one for "the Jeffrey Epstein and/or Ghislaine Maxwell files" and said everything it will release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (the November 19, 2025 law) is already in its online Epstein Library. It listed what was held back there in general — victims' personal information, child sexual abuse material, material that could hurt an active investigation or prosecution ("narrowly tailored and temporary"), images of death or abuse, and some material covered by civil-lawsuit privileges — under Exemptions 3, 5, 6, 7(A) and 7(C). It said part of the records is sealed by a federal court in New York.
Appeal: we appealed the same day (A-2026-01951), arguing the letter answered a different request, applied exemptions across the board without looking at the two records, and that the privacy reason fails because DOJ itself had confirmed the name. DOJ acknowledged the appeal on July 21. No decision on the appeal has arrived yet.
Fee waiver / faster processing: On July 22 DOJ said our request to speed up the appeal was missing a signed statement; we sent the statement that day.
View DOJ's letter Download PDF, 3 pages