The release of previously sealed Department of Justice documents has shed new light on the shopping habits, reading materials, and personal relationships of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, revealing details that many are calling deeply disturbing. Among the items uncovered were books, children’s clothing, adult products, and a host of other possessions that raise fresh questions about Epstein’s activities in the years before his arrest and eventual death.
Books with Troubling Themes
The documents detail a series of Epstein’s Amazon purchases, many of which now seem particularly unsettling. Among the books were several tied to the Russian author Vladimir Nabokov, most famously known for his 1955 novel Lolita, which tells the story of a man’s sexual obsession with a 12-year-old girl. Epstein, notorious for naming his private jet “the Lolita Express,” bought Lectures on Literature by Nabokov, as well as Discourse and Ideology in Nabokov’s Prose by David H. J. Larmour, according to reports by The Mirror.
Epstein’s reading list also included Justine, a 1791 work by the Marquis de Sade, which graphically depicts rape and torture. The book has a notorious history, as its author was imprisoned by Napoleon Bonaparte. Other purchases included Nobody Likes A C**block*, a 2016 children’s book-styled adult humor title; The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule’s memoir on serial killer Ted Bundy; and Lying by neuroscientist Sam Harris, which explores the societal benefits of telling the truth.
Purchases Beyond Books
Epstein’s online orders were not limited to books. In 2018, he bought girls’ school uniforms, including a beige set with a pleated hem and a white-and-black polo neck set, both marketed for school-aged girls. In 2017, he ordered Gerber Baby Girls sleeper suits, followed by Bright Starts Grab and Stack Blocks delivered to New York.
Adult-oriented products were also part of his purchases, such as Vagifirm, marketed for vaginal tightening, a portable stripper pole, and a leather whip. Epstein additionally bought unrelated items, including a brass and leather antique telescope, an embroidered sombrero, and microscopic cameras, reflecting a range of eclectic interests.
Lawmakers Respond to Newly Accessed Files
The unredacted files, which lawmakers recently reviewed for the first time, have prompted public commentary from several members of Congress. Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, described the documents as “preposterous and scandalous,” citing references to victims as young as nine, as well as girls aged 10, 14, and 15. He noted that some documents contained extensive redactions, including names of six men, one a foreign government official, whose identities remain undisclosed.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie suggested that those redacted individuals were “likely incriminated by their inclusion,” while Democrat Ro Khanna argued there was “no explanation why those people were redacted,” highlighting ongoing concerns about transparency in the files.
Details on Celina Dubin
Separate newly released DOJ documents also provide insight into Epstein’s relationship with Celina Dubin, the daughter of his longtime former partner Eva Dubin, a former Miss Sweden and fourth runner-up in the 1980 Miss Universe competition, now married to billionaire Glenn Dubin. According to the documents, Epstein referred to Celina as his “goddaughter” and maintained frequent contact with her beginning in childhood.
In 2014, when Celina was 19, Epstein reportedly told friends she was “the only person he wanted to marry,” a remark described by a family spokesperson as an offhand comment. The documents also indicate that Epstein offered to buy clothing for her during a 2011 trip to Paris, and that she sought modeling advice from Epstein, who then emailed her contacts in the fashion industry.
Epstein also communicated with Harvard Professor Martin Nowak in 2011, asking him to assist Celina during a visit to the university. A family spokesperson stressed that any suggestion that Epstein’s influence affected her acceptance into Harvard is “gratuitous and offensive,” noting her substantial academic achievements.
Celina Dubin graduated Magna cum laude from Harvard in 2017 with a degree in Psychology, Global Health, and Health Policy and earned a medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in 2022. She is now a resident physician at Mount Sinai, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Epstein’s Pattern of Behavior
The documents offer a stark reminder of the troubling pattern of behavior Epstein maintained prior to his arrest. His choice of reading material, purchases of children’s clothing, and adult products, combined with evidence of his close involvement in the lives of young women, paint a complex and deeply disturbing portrait.
Investigators have emphasized that the unredacted files include references to previously unknown victims, suggesting that the full scope of Epstein’s misconduct may be even broader than previously understood. The DOJ continues to withhold certain information for privacy and security reasons, including identities of other adults connected to the case.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The release of these files has sparked outrage from lawmakers and advocacy groups alike, with calls for continued scrutiny of Epstein’s network and associates. The revelations have also fueled debate about how such materials were able to remain in circulation without triggering earlier interventions.
As the DOJ continues its review, law enforcement officials are also examining digital communications, financial records, and other evidence connected to Epstein’s activities. Witnesses, researchers, and journalists are likely to continue combing through the newly disclosed materials for further insight into both his criminal conduct and the networks that enabled it.
Conclusion
The DOJ documents offer a disturbing glimpse into Jeffrey Epstein’s life, revealing purchases and relationships that in hindsight appear to confirm long-standing concerns about his predatory behavior. From books with overtly sexualized depictions of minors to purchases of children’s clothing and adult sexual devices, the evidence reinforces the scope and seriousness of Epstein’s offenses.
Lawmakers and the public are grappling with the magnitude of what the unredacted files reveal, as investigations continue into both Epstein’s direct actions and the broader network that may have facilitated his abuse. Meanwhile, the stories of those named in the files, including Celina Dubin, underscore the importance of careful distinction between victims, bystanders, and unrelated parties in ongoing coverage.
As new material becomes available, scrutiny of Epstein’s life and crimes is likely to remain a focus of public interest, legal inquiry, and media reporting for years to come.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
