NewsWFLA (NBC 8) — Pinellas CountyOctober 29, 2026Pinellas County
Epstein exhibit tours Tampa Bay as survivors call for record releases and statute reforms
Photo: WFLA (NBC 8) — Pinellas County
A mobile exhibit carrying millions of redacted Jeffrey Epstein files stopped in Tampa Bay on Thursday, where survivors advocated for the release of all records and changes to Florida's sex assault statute of limitations. Local political figures, including congressional candidates, addressed the exhibit and survivor demands ahead of upcoming midterms.
Read the full story at WFLA (NBC 8) — Pinellas CountyWhy It Matters
The mobile exhibit and survivor advocacy highlight ongoing political debates over federal transparency and state-level legal time limits for abuse survivors in Florida, directly intersecting with local congressional campaigns.
Key Facts
- A traveling exhibit featuring 3.5 million redacted Jeffrey Epstein files from the Department of Justice visited Tampa Bay on Thursday.
- The outside of the exhibit truck displays a picture of President Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein.
- Epstein survivors Jena-Lisa Jones and Sharlene Rochard spoke out about their abuse and pushed for reforms to Florida's statute of limitations laws for sex assault victims.
- During an Ohio rally on Wednesday night, a protestor interrupted President Trump over the handling of the Epstein files.
- President Trump stated during his rally that he threw Jeffrey Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago and was exonerated from him.
- Democratic congressional nominee Leela Gray toured the bookmobile and met with survivors to support calls for releasing all Epstein files.
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna defended her legislative record, stating she was one of only two Republicans in committee votes to join Democrats in pushing for the release of the files starting in 2025.
- Registered Democrats are currently leading in early voter turnout in Pinellas County, despite the county having more registered Republicans.
Who's Mentioned
PersonLeela Gray“Democratic congressional nominee for U.S. House District 13 who toured the bookm”locationFlorida“State where survivors reported abuse and where statute of limitations laws are d”PersonJeffrey Epstein“Disgraced financier whose redacted files are the subject of the traveling exhibi”locationSt. Petersburg“City where the exhibit stopped and survivors spoke.”locationOhio“State where Trump held a rally and was interrupted by a protestor.”PersonAnna Paulina Luna“U.S. Representative for House District 13 defending her voting record regarding ”PersonTrump“President whose picture appears on the exhibit truck and who made statements reg”PersonJena-Lisa Jones“Epstein survivor advocating for reform of Florida's Statute of Limitations.”locationPinellas County“County where registered Democrats continue to lead early voter turnout.”PersonSharlene Rochard“Epstein abuse survivor.”locationTampa Bay“Region where the Epstein bookmobile made stops.”locationMar-a-Lago“Property where Trump stated he threw Jeffrey Epstein out.”PersonMarina Lacerda“Advocate leaning on political figures for transparency.”