Epstein Commission hires law firm to help investigate Zorro Ranch and ties to New Mexico

Epstein Commission hires law firm to help investigate Zorro Ranch and ties to New Mexico. (KOAT via CNN Newsource)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) -- The Epstein Truth Commission is investigating allegations of sexual abuse and criminal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe, which he owned from the 1990s until his death in 2019.

Sky 7 provided aerial footage of the ranch, where much of what occurred over decades remains unknown. The New Mexico Department of Justice has searched the property, but it is unclear what was found or if anything is linked to Epstein. These are among the questions the commission aims to address.

The bipartisan commission, formed earlier this year, is tasked with investigating Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse and criminal activity.

“We are hopeful that this team of people can help us tell the story of what happened at Zorro Ranch. And in the enterprise of Jeffrey Epstein over the course of that time,” said Rep. Andrea Romero, who chairs the commission.

The Albuquerque law firm Faddoul, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, P.C., has been hired to assist in the investigation.

“Whether it be sex abuse, trafficking. We’ve heard such horrifying allegations in many different ways. This is about bringing them justice,” said Romero.

The law firm will handle tasks such as issuing subpoenas, conducting hearings, and taking testimony from alleged victims. The findings will be presented to the public.

“This isn’t about politics. This isn’t about power. This isn’t about people being protected any longer. This is about hard stories and hard truths that we have to tell to the public,” said Romero.

The commission is operating on a US$2 million budget, funded entirely by prior Epstein settlements. Of that, US$750,000 will go to the law firm.

“This is so important for us to get right as to what laws need to be looked at and what it is that we can be doing to rectify the wrongs,” said Romero.

• READ MORE: A note a former cellmate says he found after Epstein’s suspected suicide attempt is released

John Rupolo, CNN