India, Jan. 30 -- The Justice Department on Friday said it has released thousands of files on sex financier and convicted trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

"Today's release marks the end of a very comprehensive document identification and review process to ensure transparency to the American people and compliance with the act," Blanche said at a news conference announcing the disclosure.

This comes weeks after the December 19 deadline set by Congress to release all the files. The DOJ said that hundreds of lawyers reviewed the files to determine redactions to protect the identities of sexual abuse victims.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche ...