United News of Bangladesh

The US Department of Justice has come under criticism from lawmakers after Attorney General Pam Bondi said all files required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act had been released. In a letter sent to members of Congress on Saturday, Bondi and her deputy Todd Blanche said the department had disclosed all records in its possession related to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, along with a list of names appearing in the documents. However, Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a co-author of the law, argued that the release was incomplete. He urged the justice department to make public internal memos, notes and emails explaining past decisions on whether to investigate or prosecute Epstein and his associates. Millions of files linked to Epstein were released earlier this month. In their letter, Bondi and Blanche said no documents were withheld due to embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity, and that the disclosure met all legal requirements. They noted that the names listed appeared in a wide range of contexts, from extensive direct communications with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to mere references in documents or media reports. Officials stressed that inclusion in the files does not imply wrongdoing. The list includes prominent figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and Britain’s Prince Andrew, all of whom have previously acknowledged past contact with Epstein and have denied any involvement in his crimes. The names of long-deceased musicians Janis Joplin and Elvis Presley also appear, drawing further criticism. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, who also co-wrote the law, accused the justice department of blurring the distinction between alleged perpetrators and individuals mentioned incidentally. He called the inclusion of unrelated or historically implausible names “absurd” and demanded the full release of files, with only victims’ identities redacted. In media interviews, Massie said the justice department was wrongly invoking deliberative process privilege to avoid releasing key internal documents, contrary to the intent of the law. The Department of Justice has yet to publicly respond to the latest criticism. Lawmakers and victims’ lawyers have previously accused the department of improper redactions and errors in earlier file releases, some of which were later withdrawn after complaints. The handling of the Epstein files continues to fuel bipartisan pressure on the justice department over transparency and accountability.   With inputs from BBC

Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has cut ties with the Wasserman talent agency, led by entertainment executive and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chair Casey Wasserman, following the release of government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing. However, documents made public by the US Justice Department show that in 2003 he exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls. “As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman,” Roan wrote on Instagram Monday. “I hold my teams to the highest standards… No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.” Though she did not mention Epstein directly, Roan said artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and ensures their safety and dignity. Among the released emails was one in which Wasserman told Maxwell, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Responding earlier, Wasserman said he “deeply regret” the correspondence, which he described as taking place “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” He also said he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein and met him only once during a 2002 philanthropy trip to Africa with former US President Bill Clinton. He added that he never saw anything inappropriate and had no further contact. Trevor Noah takes jabs at Trump and Nicki Minaj during Grammys Maxwell was charged in 2020 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Roan’s move follows similar decisions by other artists under Wasserman. Bands including Wednesday, Beach Bunny, Water From Your Eyes and Sylvan Esso have announced plans to leave the agency, while Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino publicly urged Wasserman to step down. Wasserman, grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman, heads one of the world’s leading sports and talent agencies and has played a key role in bringing the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles. The International Olympic Committee has said it will not intervene in the matter.