Investigative journalist Katie Phang filed a lawsuit Monday against acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, alleging the Justice Department violated federal transparency requirements regarding the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawsuit, filed in Washington D.C., claims the Justice Department breached a transparency law by withholding records on the late sex offender and over-redacting disclosed materials. Phang, who works as a legal analyst, seeks to hold Blanche personally responsible for the department's alleged failure to publish all government-held documents about Epstein.

The legal action stems from a transparency act passed by Congress in November that mandated the full release of the so-called Epstein files, with a deadline of December 19. The lawsuit characterizes the Justice Department's handling of the document release as a violation of this congressional mandate.

Phang's complaint alleges the acting attorney general engaged in ongoing violations of the transparency requirements. The lawsuit represents an effort to compel the Justice Department to comply with the congressional directive for complete disclosure of Epstein-related documents.

The case highlights ongoing debates over government transparency and public access to documents related to high-profile criminal cases involving powerful figures.