New Mexico’s legislative investigation into Jeffrey Epstein entered a more aggressive phase on Monday, with lawmakers announcing the commission’s first round of subpoenas aimed at uncovering what happened during the financier’s decades-long presence in the state.
The New Mexico Truth Commission, created earlier this year to examine Epstein’s activities, has requested records from 14 organizations and government bodies. Those targeted include federal and state law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, the governor’s office, and a prominent scientific research organization based in Santa Fe.
The move came during the commission’s second public session, where survivors and family members of victims urged investigators to pursue every avenue of inquiry and expose those who may have enabled or ignored Epstein’s conduct.
Among those who addressed lawmakers was Rachel Benavidez, who has alleged she was abused at Epstein’s New Mexico ranch. Relatives of the late Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent voices against Epstein and his associates, also shared testimony.
The commission was formed after the release of a vast collection of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department. Lawmakers say the records raised new questions about what occurred at the sprawling ranch south of Santa Fe and whether influential individuals may have played a role in activities linked to the property.
Investigators are examining allegations that go beyond sex trafficking. Commission members say their mandate includes reviewing claims involving scientific and medical misconduct, as well as identifying the institutional failures and networks of influence that may have allowed Epstein to operate in New Mexico for more than two decades.
Lawmakers stressed that gathering documentary evidence is the immediate priority before deciding whether to summon former officials and other individuals for testimony. They argue that obtaining records first will allow investigators to conduct more focused questioning later in the process.
Entities receiving subpoenas include the FBI, Deutsche Bank, the New Mexico Department of Justice, the State Land Commission, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Santa Fe Institute, among others.
For survivors, the inquiry represents an opportunity to uncover not only what Epstein did, but also who may have enabled him. Benavidez told the commission she hopes both the legislative investigation and a renewed criminal probe will reveal individuals who ignored warning signs or were directly involved in wrongdoing.
The commission has also retained outside legal counsel to address potential civil claims that could emerge from its work. Meanwhile, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has encouraged additional survivors and witnesses to come forward as state authorities continue their own investigation.
With no major new federal inquiry currently underway, many survivors see state-level investigations as the most viable path toward identifying potential accomplices and securing accountability.
Commission members say the effort is still in its early stages, but the issuance of subpoenas signals that the investigation is moving from information gathering to a broader examination of how Epstein maintained influence and operated within New Mexico for years without meaningful intervention.
