Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant heard in the US Congress: “He was a master of manipulation”
Lesley Groff, the personal assistant who worked for 18 years for Jeffrey Epstein, was heard behind closed doors by the Oversight Committee of the US House of Representatives. According to sources within the commission, it denied having knowledge of the sexual crimes committed by the former financier, describing him as a “master of manipulation”.
Jeffery Epstein and his assistant Lesley Groff/PHOTO:X
Groff, who managed Epstein's schedule and travel between 2001 and 2019, claimed in his initial statement that he always believed the massage appointments he made for him involved licensed therapists and not minors or abuse victims.
Statements in hearings
In the text of the statement obtained by the press, Groff stated that the person who hired her turned out to be “a monster” who completely separated his legitimate life from his secret activities. She told congressmen that phone calls to set up appointments lasted only a few seconds and that no one had ever told her they were a minor or abused.
Groff also mentioned that, before Donald Trump became president, he brokered several phone conversations between him and Epstein, but stated that these contacts were infrequent. White House officials have responded publicly, reiterating that President Trump severed all ties to Epstein years ago and that his administration has fully cooperated with the congressional investigation.
Skepticism from victims and commission members
The former nurse's defense was met with strong skepticism from both the survivors and some members of the House of Representatives committee. Sharlene Rochard, one of Epstein's victims, said claims that people close to the financier saw nothing were untrue.
Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch called the assistant's position “inconsistent,” questioning the veracity of her claims, given that Epstein was officially registered as a sex offender at the time she continued to arrange his meetings. When asked why she did not resign, Groff claimed that Epstein convinced her that past allegations were the result of blackmail.
The committee's chairman, Republican James Comer, described Groff as “open” in the hours-long interview, but added that her testimony contained elements that contradicted the victims' statements, which is why the committee will review the documents for an upcoming public hearing.
Lesley Groff has not been charged by federal authorities, and her attorneys have previously emphasized that she was part of an extended administrative staff and did not witness any illegal activity.
