Rep. James Comer Requests Epstein and Maxwell Suspicious Activity Reports from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Washington, D.C., September 1, 2025 – House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) has escalated his investigation into the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases by requesting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In a letter sent on August 31, Comer demanded the financial records by September 15, citing the need to review potential mismanagement in the sex trafficking probes and Epstein’s 2019 death in custody.
The request marks the latest development in a broader congressional probe that has subpoenaed high-profile figures, including former Presidents Bill and Hillary Clinton, and secured thousands of pages of documents from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Comer, leading the Republican-majority committee, emphasized that the SARs are crucial for oversight of sex trafficking enforcement and to inform potential legislative reforms, such as improving non-prosecution agreements in sex crime cases.
“It is essential that Treasury produce to the Committee certain SARs to assist the Committee’s oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell,” Comer wrote in the letter. SARs are confidential filings submitted by financial institutions to the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) when they detect potentially suspicious transactions, often related to money laundering or other illicit activities.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender and financier, died by suicide in a New York federal jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, his longtime associate, was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein’s abuse network. The cases have long fueled conspiracy theories and demands for transparency, particularly regarding Epstein’s high-profile connections and the government’s prior handling of his 2008 Florida plea deal.
This Treasury request builds on Comer’s earlier actions through the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, established earlier in 2025. The DOJ began complying with a subpoena for Epstein-related records on August 22, delivering over 34,000 pages so far, with more expected. These include files on the investigations, Epstein’s death, and communications involving prior administrations. Comer has also subpoenaed the Epstein estate for unredacted documents, including an alleged “client list” and call logs, due by September 8.
Additionally, depositions have been scheduled or conducted with former officials. Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. Attorney who oversaw Epstein’s controversial 2007 non-prosecution agreement and later served as Labor Secretary under President Trump, is set for a voluntary interview on September 19. Subpoenas for testimony from the Clintons and former Attorneys General like Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales, as well as former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, were issued in August, with sessions planned through October.
Comer’s probe has drawn bipartisan support in some areas but also criticism. Democrats on the committee have pushed for full transparency while questioning delays in document releases. The Trump administration, facing pressure from its base over unfulfilled campaign promises to declassify Epstein files, has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the unsealing of grand jury transcripts from the cases, though courts have so far denied those requests. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell in July, but details remain private.
A Treasury Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Comer’s letter. As the September 15 deadline approaches, the request could reveal new insights into Epstein and Maxwell’s financial dealings, potentially shedding light on the scope of their operations and any overlooked red flags by federal agencies.
The Oversight Committee’s investigation continues amid ongoing public fascination and political tensions, with Comer stating that the efforts aim to strengthen federal responses to sex trafficking. “This oversight will inform legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking,” he reiterated. As more documents surface, the probe promises to keep the Epstein saga in the spotlight, testing the balance between transparency and protecting victims’ privacy.