The Declaration That Sparked Fresh Scrutiny
The document at the center of this story is a September 2024 sworn declaration by FBI Special Agent Aaron Spivack, accessible directly from the Department of Justice’s Epstein files repository: View the full PDF here. Spivack, a veteran with over a decade in the FBI’s Domestic Terrorism and Child Exploitation squads—including the Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) unit—provided the testimony while responding to an internal investigation into his own handling of digital evidence.
According to the declaration, Spivack logged into his work computer on February 12, 2023, and immediately noticed anomalies: the system had restarted unexpectedly, a text file indicated a network compromise, and an unfamiliar email address was listed for contact. Antivirus software flagged threats, and his administrative privileges had been revoked. Further checks revealed the main server offline and other servers malfunctioning. Log analysis pointed to suspicious activity from two IP addresses, with targeted access to files connected to the Epstein investigation.
“500 terabytes of data was gone as a result of the intrusion,” Spivack stated. “I was able to recover about 400 terabytes of that data.”
That leaves 100 terabytes—equivalent to roughly 25 million high-resolution photos, or tens of thousands of hours of video footage, or millions of investigative documents—irretrievably lost. The declaration does not specify the exact nature of the unrecovered files, but given the unit’s focus, they could include forensic images, victim statements, digital evidence from devices, and materials related to child exploitation cases tied to Epstein’s network.
Timeline of the Incident: Super Bowl Sunday 2023
While millions of Americans were still digesting the outcome of Super Bowl LVII (played February 12, 2023), events were unfolding inside the FBI’s New York Field Office. Spivack reported discovering the breach the following day. He immediately contacted colleagues and attempted recovery efforts. The agent noted systemic vulnerabilities that may have contributed: the office lacked a designated Information System Security Officer (ISSO)—a mandatory role—until around the time of the incident. Remote access to the C-20 computer lab (dedicated to child sex crimes) had been enabled, but Spivack argued it was not implemented with adequate safeguards.
Post-incident support was reportedly minimal. Spivack claims he was advised to “Google how to recover the data” rather than receiving structured assistance from the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). An earlier request for help had gone unanswered. OCIO Section Chief Matt Smith later acknowledged broader organizational shortcomings in a related exchange.
The intruders were never publicly identified. The entry point—physical, remote, or a combination—remains unclear. No arrests or further public updates on the investigation into the breach have been released by the FBI as of March 2026.
Broader Context: Decades of Questions Around Epstein Evidence
This incident does not exist in isolation. Jeffrey Epstein’s 2005 Palm Beach investigation already featured allegations that materials were removed from his residence before a search warrant was executed. His 2019 arrest and subsequent death in federal custody fueled further skepticism about evidence handling. In 2025, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) publicly referenced an FBI whistleblower claiming document tampering in Epstein-related files.
Recent DOJ releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act—totaling over 3.5 million pages by January 30, 2026—have themselves drawn criticism. As NPR reported on February 24, 2026, dozens of FBI interview records appear missing from the public database, including materials related to uncorroborated allegations against high-profile figures. Read NPR’s investigation here. The DOJ has stated it is reviewing whether any records were mistakenly withheld.
Independent journalists and alternative outlets have highlighted the Spivack declaration in recent days. Raw Story published a detailed report on March 1, 2026, confirming the 500-terabyte compromise and its Epstein connection. Full Raw Story coverage.
What 100 Terabytes Actually Represents
To put the scale in perspective: modern hard drives for consumers top out around 20-30 terabytes. One hundred terabytes could store the entire text content of the U.S. Library of Congress several times over—or every frame of high-definition video from thousands of interviews and device seizures. In child exploitation cases, digital forensics often involve terabytes of images, chat logs, and metadata that can map entire networks. The permanent loss of even a fraction raises legitimate questions about investigative completeness, regardless of intent.
Systemic Issues or Isolated Incident? FBI’s Cybersecurity Reality
Spivack’s declaration points to chronic under-resourcing and procedural gaps at the NYFO. The absence of a dedicated ISSO until February 2023 is particularly notable, as federal standards require such roles for offices handling sensitive data. The FBI has faced repeated criticism for cybersecurity lapses; a 2023 Government Accountability Office report highlighted vulnerabilities in federal law-enforcement networks (though not this specific case).
For individuals concerned about personal data security in an era of rising cyber threats, robust practices matter more than ever. Similar challenges faced by government agencies underscore why everyday citizens should prioritize encrypted backups and multi-factor authentication—topics explored in depth in our guide to protecting wealth and privacy in the digital age.
The FBI has not issued a standalone public statement on the Spivack declaration beyond its inclusion in the Epstein files release. This silence, combined with the timing amid renewed transparency demands, has fueled public debate. Some view the incident as evidence of incompetence or worse; others see it as an unfortunate but explainable technical failure in a high-pressure environment. Both perspectives deserve airtime without premature judgment.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Calls for Accountability
Since independent outlets surfaced the declaration in late February 2026, social media and alternative platforms have lit up with renewed calls for full disclosure. Supporters of maximum transparency argue that any lost Epstein-related data undermines public trust in institutions tasked with protecting the most vulnerable. Critics of conspiracy narratives counter that data loss occurs across large organizations and does not automatically imply foul play.
Related coverage on Planet Today explores parallel themes in the Epstein files saga, including high-profile names resurfacing in recent releases: Prince Andrew & Elon Musk Named In New Jeffrey Epstein Files Release – Planet Today.
Whatever one’s view, the volume of data involved makes this more than a footnote. One hundred terabytes is not a handful of misplaced emails—it is a digital mountain that, if it contained irreplaceable evidence, could affect the completeness of the historical record on Epstein’s network and associated cases.
Looking Forward: What Happens Next?
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Trump in November 2025, mandated the broadest possible release. While the DOJ has complied with millions of pages, incidents like this one—and reports of other missing records—keep the spotlight on remaining gaps. Spivack remains employed with the FBI according to his LinkedIn profile, and the internal investigation’s outcome is not public.
Until clearer answers emerge about the lost data’s contents, the precise impact on prosecutions (past or potential), and whether offsite backups existed, questions will persist. The public deserves facts, not speculation. This declaration adds one more layer to an already complex story—one that continues to test institutional credibility and the public’s right to know.