The Forgotten Files: Inside the 2016 Katie Johnson Lawsuit Against Trump and Epstein

With the recent release of the unsealed "Epstein Files," the world has been combing through thousands of pages of documents, looking for names, dates, and connections. While the public focuses on the new data dumps, one specific legal document from 2016 has resurfaced in conversations about the depth of the allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and his high-profile associates.

That document is the 2016 federal complaint Katie Johnson v. Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey E. Epstein.

While this case was voluntarily dismissed just days before the 2016 election, the details within the filing are as explosive today as they were then. Below, we break down exactly what was in the court documents, the specific allegations made, and how this connects to the broader narrative of the Epstein investigation.

Who is Katie Johnson?

"Katie Johnson" was the pseudonym used by a plaintiff who filed a civil lawsuit in April 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Johnson, a resident of California, alleged that she was a victim of a sex trafficking ring operated by Jeffrey Epstein and attended by Donald Trump.

According to the complaint, the abuse occurred during a four-month span in 1994, from June to September. At the time of the alleged assaults, Johnson states she was just 13 years old.

The Specific Allegations

The court filing outlines a series of disturbing events. Johnson alleged that she was enticed by promises of money and a modeling career to attend underage parties at Jeffrey Epstein’s New York City residence.

The complaint details four specific encounters involving Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein:

• The First & Second Encounters: Johnson alleged she was forced to perform sexual acts on Donald Trump at Epstein's residence.
• The "Maria Doe" Incident: The complaint describes a third occasion where Johnson and another minor, identified as 12-year-old "Maria Doe," were allegedly forced to perform acts together for Trump's entertainment before being verbally berated by him.
• The Fourth Encounter: The most graphic allegation involves a fourth meeting where Johnson claims she was tied to a bed and forcibly raped by Donald Trump. The complaint states that when she pleaded with him to use protection, he allegedly struck her across the face and told her he would "do whatever he wanted".

The filing also details allegations against Jeffrey Epstein, claiming he sexually abused Johnson on multiple occasions, including an instance where he became enraged and violent after learning Trump had been with her first.

The Witness: "Tiffany Doe"

One of the most critical aspects of the Katie Johnson file was the inclusion of a material witness identified as "Tiffany Doe".

Tiffany Doe was described as a former employee of Jeffrey Epstein who worked as a "party planner" for his underage gatherings for over 10 years. The complaint asserts that Tiffany Doe was willing to provide sworn testimony confirming Johnson's presence and the abuse she suffered. According to the filing, Tiffany Doe was personally present during the alleged encounters with Trump and was tasked with witnessing the acts to report details back to Epstein.

Why Was the Case Dropped?

Given the severity of the accusations—which included a demand for $100 million in damages—many ask why this case didn't go to trial.

The complaint itself provides a clue. It explicitly states that Johnson and her family were warned by the defendants that revealing these details would put them in "mortal danger". Johnson alleged she was told that speaking out would mean "certain death" for her and her family.

Historically, the case was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff in November 2016. At the time, her attorneys cited the overwhelming threats and fear for her personal safety as the primary reason for withdrawing the suit.

The "Epstein Files" Connection

As new batches of the "Epstein Files" are released to the public, documents like the Katie Johnson complaint serve as a reminder of the many legal battles that took place before the current wave of unsealed documents. While this specific lawsuit is closed, the detailed testimony of witnesses like "Tiffany Doe" in the original filing continues to fuel the public's demand for total transparency regarding everyone who entered Epstein's orbit.

Status of the Case: The lawsuit described above (Case 5:16-cv-00797-DMG-KS) was voluntarily dismissed in 2016. Donald Trump and his legal team have vehemently denied all allegations made in the complaint, calling them "categorically false."