Rep. Brad Knott Urges Senate to Protect Innocent Individuals in Epstein Files Release

Concerns Over Epstein Files Release

• 💡 Rep. Brad Knott expresses support for bringing justice to victims of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes but raises concerns about the current petition.
• ⚠️ He believes there is a grave risk of harming innocent people through the petition as drafted.

Potential Harm to Innocent Individuals

• 🎯 The petition's broad scope and the poorly defined nature of the Epstein files could lead to the naming of individuals with no involvement in criminal activity.
• 📌 Examples include individuals like a bellman, waiter, or doorman who had no participation in Epstein's criminal activities.
• ⚖️ Knott emphasizes that innocent people should not be harmed in the pursuit of justice.

Grounds for Withholding Information

• 🚫 The petition's language prohibits withholding information based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.
• 🗣️ Knott argues that if these are the only grounds for withholding, individuals who were merely embarrassed or suffered social harm will be named.

Call for Amendments and Senate Action

• 🤝 Knott regrets the lack of opportunity for good-faith amendments to the petition.
• 📢 He urges the Senate to protect innocent people from potential harm during the files' release.