Sarah Kellen told House lawmakers Thursday she was sexually and psychologically abused by Jeffrey Epstein, denying she was an accomplice to the financier.
Sarah Kellen, a longtime assistant to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, testified before House lawmakers Thursday that she was a victim, not an accomplice, claiming the late financier "sexually and psychologically abused" her.
Kellen appeared before the House Oversight and Reform Committee as part of Congress's ongoing review of the federal investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking operation. Her testimony marks the first time she has publicly addressed allegations that she helped facilitate Epstein's crimes.
Assistant Claims Victim Status
I am here today to answer your questions, to dispel rumors and conspiracies, and to tell you the truth.
Kellen told lawmakers that Epstein "sexually and psychologically abused me" and "gaslit me" during her years working for the financier. Her testimony directly contradicts federal prosecutors and civil attorneys who have portrayed her as a key facilitator in Epstein's trafficking network.
The hearing represents Congress's effort to examine how federal agencies handled the Epstein case and whether justice was properly served. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, leaving many questions unanswered about his network of associates and enablers.
Broader Investigation Continues
Kellen's appearance comes as lawmakers press for accountability in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent memory. The Epstein scandal implicated wealthy and powerful figures across politics, business, and entertainment, raising questions about whether all co-conspirators have faced justice.
Federal prosecutors secured a conviction against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and alleged recruiter, who received a 20-year prison sentence in 2022. But critics argue that other associates escaped serious consequences despite evidence of their involvement.
The House committee's investigation aims to determine whether federal agencies adequately pursued all leads and whether political considerations influenced prosecutorial decisions. Committee members are reviewing documents and interviewing witnesses who had direct knowledge of Epstein's operations.
Kellen's testimony will likely face scrutiny from both lawmakers and Epstein victims' attorneys, who have long alleged she played a central role in scheduling and coordinating encounters between Epstein and underage girls. Her claims of victimization add another layer of complexity to an already intricate case.
The committee plans additional hearings as it works to complete its review of the federal investigation and determine whether systemic failures allowed Epstein's crimes to continue for years.
