Epstein’s assistant tells Congress she knew nothing about his crimes

The ongoing congressional investigation into the network surrounding late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein took another dramatic turn this week as his longtime executive assistant told lawmakers she had no knowledge of the criminal conduct that ultimately made him one of the most notorious figures in modern history.

Lesley Groff, who worked closely with Epstein for nearly two decades, appeared before members of the House Oversight Committee and insisted that she was unaware of the sexual abuse and trafficking activities prosecutors later uncovered. Her testimony, however, has sparked skepticism from survivors and renewed questions about who within Epstein’s inner circle knew about his actions.

Longtime Assistant Faces Questions

Groff served as Epstein’s executive assistant for nearly 20 years, making her one of the people closest to the financier’s day-to-day operations.

According to reports, lawmakers questioned her extensively about her role in managing Epstein’s schedule, arranging meetings, coordinating travel, and booking appointments involving young women and girls.

During the interview, Groff reportedly told committee members that she believed the women she scheduled appointments with were massage therapists and had no reason to suspect criminal activity.

She maintained that Epstein deliberately kept his illegal conduct hidden from her and that she was never aware of any sexual abuse taking place.

Sources familiar with the interview said Groff described Epstein as a highly manipulative individual who carefully controlled information and relationships within his organization.

A Central Figure in Epstein’s Operations

Although Groff was not accused of wrongdoing during the congressional interview, her position has attracted significant attention because of her extensive involvement in Epstein’s professional affairs.

As executive assistant, she helped organize:

• Business meetings and appointments
• Travel arrangements
• Flight schedules
• Communications with influential figures
• Personal scheduling and administrative tasks

Investigators have noted that Groff’s name appears more than 150,000 times in records associated with Epstein’s operations, highlighting how deeply involved she was in managing his affairs.

Her responsibilities reportedly included arranging travel for Epstein and coordinating interactions with numerous individuals who entered his social and business circles.

Claims of Ignorance Draw Scrutiny

While Groff insisted she knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes, survivors and advocates have questioned whether someone so closely connected to him could have remained unaware.

One survivor, Sharlene Rochard, expressed doubts about the explanation.

According to reports, Rochard said that hearing people who worked closely with Epstein claim ignorance has been particularly difficult for victims seeking accountability.

Survivors argue that many questions remain unanswered regarding how Epstein’s operation functioned for so many years and whether others may have witnessed warning signs.

The contrast between Groff’s testimony and the experiences described by victims is likely to remain a central issue as congressional investigators continue their work.

Groff Says She Was Never a Victim

During her appearance before lawmakers, Groff reportedly stated that Epstein never sexually abused her.

She also told investigators that she did not depend on the position financially and that she viewed herself as a professional employee performing administrative duties.

According to sources, Groff said that Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, discouraged her from becoming involved in their personal relationships and social circles.

She claimed they repeatedly told her that their private affairs were none of her concern and that she focused solely on her assigned work responsibilities.

Family Faced Fallout After Epstein’s Arrest

Groff reportedly told lawmakers that her life changed dramatically after Epstein’s arrest and subsequent death in 2019.

She said she lost friendships and that members of her family faced harassment because of her association with Epstein.

The public scrutiny surrounding everyone connected to Epstein has remained intense for years, particularly as victims and investigators continue seeking answers about the extent of his network.

Groff indicated that she appeared before Congress because she wanted to cooperate and assist investigators in understanding what happened.

Committee Pursues Accountability

The House Oversight Committee has been conducting interviews with individuals connected to Epstein’s operations as lawmakers attempt to gather additional information about the people who may have enabled or assisted him.

Committee Chairman James Comer recently suggested that investigators have made significant progress.

According to public statements, the committee has already referred two individuals to the Department of Justice for further review, though officials have not publicly identified those individuals.

Comer described the interviews as productive and said investigators are focused on obtaining evidence that could lead to greater accountability.

Renewed Focus on Epstein Network

The congressional investigation comes years after Epstein’s death in a federal jail cell in 2019.

Epstein, a wealthy financier with powerful political, business, and social connections, had been charged with federal sex trafficking offenses before his death, which authorities ruled a suicide.

Despite multiple criminal investigations and the conviction of Maxwell, many questions about Epstein’s network remain unanswered.

Lawmakers have increasingly focused on determining whether others facilitated, enabled, or ignored the abuse that prosecutors say occurred over many years.

More High-Profile Interviews Expected

The committee’s investigation is expected to continue with additional interviews involving people who interacted with Epstein professionally or socially.

Lawmakers have indicated that they intend to speak with several high-profile figures whose names have appeared in documents related to Epstein’s activities.

Committee members say their goal is not only to uncover new information but also to provide greater transparency for victims and the public.

Survivors Continue Seeking Answers

For many survivors, the congressional inquiry represents another opportunity to obtain long-awaited answers about how Epstein operated and who may have known about his conduct.

While Groff’s testimony portrayed her as an employee unaware of criminal behavior, victims and advocates continue to question whether key individuals in Epstein’s circle truly had no knowledge of what was happening.

As investigators review testimony and evidence, the debate over accountability within Epstein’s inner circle remains far from settled.

The House Oversight Committee’s investigation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, potentially bringing additional witnesses and new revelations into one of the most scrutinized criminal cases of the past two decades.