Jeffrey Epstein’s long-term assistant has disclosed three previously unknown individuals allegedly involved in the convicted sex offender’s predatory network to the House Oversight Committee. This revelation is being hailed by committee chairman James Comer as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing inquiry into Epstein’s criminal activities.
Sarah Kellen, the assistant, provided these names during a confidential interview held on Thursday, according to Comer. While he refrained from publicizing the names, he confirmed their novelty to the investigation and pledged to release a full transcript of Kellen’s testimony promptly.
“The new names – that’s what we’ve been waiting for,” Comer stated, expressing increased optimism about the investigation’s progress.
Kellen’s role within Epstein’s circle is complex. Her employment with the late, disgraced financier provided her with extensive insight into his operations. In 2007, law enforcement identified her as a potential co-conspirator, with many suspecting her involvement in the recruitment and abuse of girls. However, Kellen asserts she was also a victim of Epstein’s abuse, a perspective acknowledged by some observers given the nuanced nature of her experience, despite earlier investigations into her potential complicity.
During her hours of private testimony on Thursday, Kellen maintained she was not a co-conspirator and was unaware she would be mentioned in Epstein’s non-prosecution agreement from the early 2000s. Instead, Kellen testified she “worked for and was sexually and psychologically abused by Jeffrey Epstein,” as detailed in her opening remarks shared with CNN.
Kellen vividly recounted instances of the sexual abuse she claims to have endured.
“I want this Committee to know that the abuse happened on average on a weekly basis, and was at times violent,” Kellen’s remarks stated. “It included Jeffrey entering my room in the middle of the night and putting his fingers inside me, waking me up from my sleep. It included an occasion in Palm Beach when he trapped me in the gym by lowering the metal hurricane shutter, blasted the music so loud that no one could hear, choked me, and violently raped me.”
Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D) informed reporters that Kellen confirmed being abused by Epstein at his New Mexico ranch, a location currently under state investigation.
Kellen explained that leaving Epstein’s control for years was impossible: “I had nowhere else to go. I had no money, no family, no education, and no sense that I deserved any better.”
Stansbury also asked Kellen about the possibility of transferring Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower-security prison or granting her a presidential pardon. Kellen rejected both suggestions, instead placing blame on Maxwell for exacerbating Epstein’s conduct, stating that “Maxwell turned Epstein into the monster he became,” according to Stansbury.
Chairman Comer criticized the Justice Department for not interviewing Kellen until 2019, citing this as evidence of mismanagement in the Epstein case. CNN has sought comment from the Justice Department.
“More evidence emerges every time we bring somebody in that the government failed the victims. That’s the obvious,” Comer asserted.
Following Kellen’s testimony, Comer expressed his belief that she was a victim of Epstein’s crimes, not a co-conspirator.
“Of all the people that we’ve interviewed thus far, this was by far the most substantive and productive interview that we’ve had. She was very brave coming forward. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for her to go into detail about the abuse that she endured at the hands of Epstein and Maxwell,” Comer remarked.
However, some, like Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D), seek further clarification from Kellen, suggesting she be recalled for a subpoenaed interview due to unanswered questions from her voluntary testimony.
Krishnamoorthi stated, “What I want to hear is more discussion about other actors, other entities, other women, who else were potential conspirators in this.”
Another source familiar with Kellen’s testimony indicated that while she discussed her personal abuse, she was reluctant to share information regarding the abuse suffered by others.
Kellen testified that she never witnessed any inappropriate behavior by former President Donald Trump. However, she believed Epstein and Trump were once close, noting that Epstein displayed photographs of Trump throughout his properties, the source added.
Comer recounted Kellen’s testimony that Epstein used to visit Mar-a-Lago for workouts before Trump expelled him for allegedly “hitting on a members’ daughter or something.”
