Washington: The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated the release of extensive records pertaining to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This development follows approximately one month after the U.S. Congress passed legislation mandating the release of these files by December 19, with only limited exceptions.According to Namibia Press Agency, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated earlier that the disclosure would encompass "several hundred thousand" records, with additional documents set to be released in the forthcoming weeks. This release aligns with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which garnered nearly unanimous support in the U.S. House of Representatives and was unanimously approved by the Senate.The act stipulates that the Department of Justice must disclose all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein's investigation and prosecution by the specified deadline. Exceptions are allowed only for information that could reveal th e identities of victims or compromise ongoing federal investigations.Epstein, who had connections with numerous influential American political and business leaders, was arrested on charges related to sexual offenses. He died in prison in August 2019, with his death officially ruled a suicide. During his 2024 presidential campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to release documents concerning the Epstein case if elected.