The proposal to create a “truth commission” to conduct a broad review of what the government knew or did in relation to possible crimes tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s Santa Fe County ranch is moving forward in the New Mexico Legislature.
Some lawmakers, however, raised concerns about its effectiveness and possible political implications.
Commission, a bipartisan body
House Joint Resolution 1 advanced to the House floor after the House Judiciary Committee gave its go signal to the proposal on Saturday. The House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee had earlier cleared the measure.
The resolution seeks to establish a bipartisan fact-finding body to review what state officials knew—or failed to act on—about the activities at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch near Stanley.
Lawmakers who support the proposal say the goal is not to litigate individual criminal allegations but to establish an accurate public record.
“This is about getting the story straight,” said Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Sta. Fe, one of the sponsors of the measure.
Not into criminal investigation
Romero said the proposed commission is not a criminal investigation body looking into allegations of sex trafficking or abuse. It will function instead as a broad review of what the government had done or failed to do regarding Epstein’s presence in New Mexico.
Epstein was a wealthy financier with close ties to powerful political figures and had extensive social connections. He died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019, before a federal trial on sex trafficking charges began.
Several court filings and media reports mentioned his ranch in Sta. Fe, New Mexico as a place where allegations of sexual abuse happened.
The proponents of the measure argue that a truth commission could help clarify to the public what the law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and other public institutions had done or failed to do.
The fact-finding process may lead to policy recommendations that prevent similar failures, if any, in the future.
Critics raise concerns
Critics, however, have raised concerns that the truth commission may fail to fulfill its mandate without sufficient subpoena power or a clear mandate.
Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, expressed concern that the commission could become a political tool. She sought clarification on whether the fact-finding body would also be willing to act against Democrats who might be implicated.
Once the House approves the resolution, it will move to the Senate for consideration.