New York, NY — A federal judge overseeing the Justice Department’s request to unseal grand jury records related to the criminal case of Ghislaine Maxwell has stated he plans to rule on the matter “expeditiously,” but has requested additional information before proceeding.

U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued a four-page order on Tuesday emphasizing that while a swift decision is a priority, the current motion from the Department of Justice (DOJ) lacks critical details necessary to move forward.

“The Court intends to resolve this motion expeditiously,” Engelmayer wrote. “However, the Court cannot rule on the motion without additional submissions.”

According to ABC News, the judge cited a “non-exhaustive list of factors” that must be weighed when considering whether to unseal secret grand jury material. He found that the DOJ’s original filing did not sufficiently address these legal standards.

DOJ Ordered to Submit Supplemental Brief

Judge Engelmayer has ordered the Justice Department to file a supplemental brief by July 29. This new submission must provide:

• A clearer legal justification for unsealing the records

• Confirmation of whether prosecutors have reviewed the grand jury transcripts

• Clarification on whether victims in the case were notified before the request was filed

Additionally, the DOJ must submit—under seal:

• An index of all grand jury transcripts related to Maxwell

• The full, unredacted transcripts

• A proposed redacted version of the transcripts for potential public release

• Any other related materials relevant to the decision

Maxwell’s Defense Team Requests Access

Maxwell’s legal team also weighed in on Tuesday. In a letter to the court, defense attorney David Oscar Markus asked for permission to review the grand jury transcripts before taking a formal position on their potential disclosure.

“We have not seen them, and our understanding is that they have never been provided to the defense in their entirety,” Markus wrote. “In order to craft a response and set out our position to the Court, we would similarly like to review the grand jury transcripts at issue.”

Markus added that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche does not oppose allowing Maxwell’s attorneys access to the materials.

Victims Invited to Share Opinions

In a significant step toward transparency, Judge Engelmayer has also invited victims in the case to submit their opinions on the unsealing request. He set a deadline of August 5 for these submissions, ensuring that their perspectives are considered before any final decision is made.

Renewed Urgency Following Presidential Order

The case has drawn renewed public attention in recent weeks following an executive directive from former President Donald Trump, who reportedly encouraged the Justice Department to increase transparency in high-profile federal cases involving sex trafficking and public figures.

While the content and implications of the Maxwell grand jury records remain unknown, legal analysts suggest they could include sensitive details about the broader Jeffrey Epstein network, including potential co-conspirators and undisclosed witness testimony.

What Comes Next

The coming weeks will prove critical, as the court reviews the additional DOJ materials, considers the defense’s response, and weighs input from victims. Judge Engelmayer’s final ruling could have significant implications for ongoing public scrutiny surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell, the Epstein case, and the legal boundaries of grand jury secrecy in high-profile criminal proceedings.