CIRCLE WITH A DOT

yahoo news | As New Mexico investigates, questions are raised about Epstein's links to the... by undefinedAs police search Jeffrey Epstein’s former New Mexico hideaway, Zorro Ranch, investigators are probing how the financier’s ties to powerful state Democrats may have enabled alleged abuse at the property. The ranch, an Old‑West‑themed estate that Epstein visited for about two months each year, is being examined by a New Mexico “truth commission” – the first of its kind in the country – to determine whether the state’s political establishment facilitated his sex‑trafficking network that spanned the U.S. Virgin Islands, New York and Florida.Epstein contributed just over $160,000 to New Mexico campaigns between 2002 and 2014, often becoming the largest outside donor even after his 2008 conviction. Among those linked to him were former Governor Bill Richardson and former attorney general Gary King, both of whom met with Epstein after his felony sex‑crime convictions. King’s campaign returned a 2014 donation, and he later said he never visited the ranch or solicited contributions after the 2013 Florida conviction. Congressman Teresa Leger Fernandez condemned continued acceptance of Epstein’s money, and she has questioned why local, state and federal authorities never investigated complaints of sexual abuse at the ranch despite a 2019 federal directive to drop a child‑trafficking probe.The 7,500‑acre property was bought in 1993 for roughly $3.75 million from the family of three‑times Governor Bruce King, with the younger King later acknowledging the sale. The estate became locally known as the “Victoria’s Secret Ranch,” a place where Epstein allegedly entertained models, scientists, politicians and celebrities. Federal agents visited the ranch in 2007 to question staff about “masseuses” brought in by Epstein, yet state law‑enforcement officials say they were never informed of any federal probe. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez reopened the state investigation in February, while the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI declined to comment.Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mexico-investigates-questions-raised-epsteins-100232025.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall#jeffreyepstein #newmexico #zorroranch #billrichardson #fbi

yahoo news | As New Mexico investigates, questions are raised about Epstein's links to the... by undefinedPolice have begun the first search of Jeffrey Epstein’s former New Mexico hideaway, Zorro Ranch, looking for evidence of sexual abuse that may have occurred at the Old West‑themed property. The investigation is being overseen by a state‑appointed “truth commission,” the first of its kind in the United States, and it is drawing attention to powerful Democratic figures who continued to meet with Epstein and accept his campaign donations long after he was listed as a registered sex offender.Epstein contributed just over $160,000 to New Mexico races between 2002 and 2014, often becoming the largest outside donor even after his 2008 conviction. Former governor Bill Richardson and former attorney general Gary King both had documented contacts with Epstein; King’s campaign returned a 2014 donation after press scrutiny, and both men later claimed they had no knowledge of any wrongdoing tied to the ranch. Congressman Teresa Leger Fernandez has publicly questioned why federal, state and local authorities never investigated complaints of abuse at the property and why a 2019 federal child‑trafficking probe was told to stand down.The ranch, officially called “The Victoria’s Secret Ranch” by locals, was bought in 1993 by Epstein for about $3.75 million from the family of three‑time governor Bruce King; Bruce’s son Gary was a party to the sale. Epstein allegedly used the 7,500‑acre site to host scientists, politicians, billionaires and celebrities, and emails in the DOJ files show references to “the girls” and to “masseuses” hired for the property. FBI agents visited the ranch in 2007 and questioned staff, but New Mexico law‑enforcement agencies say they received no information about crimes. The state attorney general reopened the probe in February, while the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI declined to comment.Read more: undefined#jeffreyepstein #newmexico #zorroranch #billrichardson #fbi