Sarah Kellen, who worked as Jeffrey Epstein’s personal assistant for over 10 years starting in 2001, testified before the House Oversight Committee on May 21, denying any role as a co-conspirator in Epstein’s abuse network [1, 2, 3]. She told investigators she was sexually and psychologically abused by Epstein over more than a decade, including repeated sexual contact and an incident of aggressive rape [1, 2]. Kellen said, "He groomed me, sexually and psychologically abused me, controlled me, manipulated me, dominated me, and gaslit me until I could no longer tell which thoughts were mine and which were his" [1].

Kellen described herself as having no power or authority while working for Epstein and as a "literal indentured slave" to Ghislaine Maxwell, saying Maxwell "even referred to me as her slave and minion" [1]. She denied awareness of any underage victims despite accusations from some Epstein survivors and lawmakers that she helped recruit and abuse underage girls [2, 3]. Representative Nancy Mace sharply rejected Kellen’s victim claim, stating, "If you’re an adult female and you’re recruiting underage girls, you’re not a victim. You’re a prostitute, a child predator, and a sex trafficker" [2].

Kellen was publicly identified as one of four women granted immunity as potential co-conspirators in Epstein’s 2007 plea deal, which sentenced Epstein to 13 months in prison [1, 2]. No criminal charges have been filed against her, with prosecutors reportedly viewing her as a victim after her disclosures [2]. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer criticized the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case, saying it had failed victims by not interviewing Kellen until 2019 [3]. Comer called the new information she provided "what we’ve been waiting for" and expressed optimism about further progress [3].

During closed-door testimony, Kellen gave House investigators three new names tied to Epstein’s alleged abuse network [3]. Lawmakers including Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said they may subpoena Kellen for further testimony as questions remain [3].

The House Oversight Committee plans to release the transcript of Kellen’s testimony publicly in the coming days [2, 3].