{"id":2347,"date":"2026-05-21T17:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/21\/jeffrey-epstein-assistant-fiercely-denies-she-was-an-accomplice-and-claims-he-abused-her\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T17:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:40:02","slug":"jeffrey-epstein-assistant-fiercely-denies-she-was-an-accomplice-and-claims-he-abused-her","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=2347","title":{"rendered":"Jeffrey Epstein assistant fiercely denies she was an accomplice and claims he abused her"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"cc9edfd0-93fd-4aa7-a041-1f839d2b1434\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A woman looks down while walking in a corridor\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7d51801cacfa66871e6ce3c066f0803596773eeb\/0_0_5448_3632\/master\/5448.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Sarah Kellen arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House oversight committee on 21 May 2026 in Washington DC.<\/span> Photograph: Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"cc9edfd0-93fd-4aa7-a041-1f839d2b1434\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Sarah Kellen arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House oversight committee on 21 May 2026 in Washington DC.<\/span> Photograph: Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Jeffrey Epstein assistant fiercely denies she was an accomplice and claims he abused her<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Sarah Kellen told lawmakers that convicted sex offender \u2018sexually and psychologically abused me \u2026 and gaslit me\u2019<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/news\/2026\/feb\/17\/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">One of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>\u2019s longtime assistants has fiercely denied she was an accomplice of the convicted sex offender during a congressional interview, claiming she was \u201csexually and psychologically abused\u201d by the late financier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI am here today to answer your questions, to dispel rumors and conspiracies, and to tell you the truth,\u201d Sarah Kellen told lawmakers on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/house-of-representatives\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">House of Representatives<\/a> oversight and reform committee on Thursday morning, as part of its ongoing review of the federal investigation into Epstein.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A copy of her opening statement was provided to the Guardian.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"90b33a94-8bd0-456b-acb0-e8d35e5a939f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-3 | 3\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-1bg5532\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/18\/nicholas-tartaglione-jeffrey-epstein-cellmate\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">The strange case of Epstein cellmate and quadruple murderer Nicholas Tartaglione<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Kellen, 46, testified behind closed doors after lawmakers on the committee <a href=\"https:\/\/oversight.house.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3.3.26-Sarah-Kellen-TI-Request.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">requested her apperance<\/a> as part of its inquiry. Earlier this week, she participated in an interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/news\/set-to-appear-before-congress-an-epstein-potential-co-conspirator-says-she-too-was-a-victim\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">MS NOW,<\/a> in which she claimed she was also a survivor of Epstein\u2019s abuse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Kellen was employed by Epstein as a personal assistant for more than 10 years beginning in 2001, and has faced public scrutiny for years since it emerged that she was listed as one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2015\/jan\/07\/jeffrey-epstein-former-accomplices-property-prince-andrew\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">four women<\/a> named as possible \u201cco-conspirators\u201d and granted immunity from prosecution in Epstein\u2019s controversial 2007 plea deal with federal prosecutors in Florida.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Under that agreement, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor, served just 13 months in county jail and avoided a federal sex-trafficking indictment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On Thursday, Kellen told lawmakers in her prepared remarks that she \u201cworked for, and was sexually and psychologically abused by, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a> for over a decade\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHe 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,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was like living with a permanent virtual reality headset on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI was reminded every day how powerful he was \u2013 how influential he was \u2013 and that to turn on him or disobey him would mean losing everything: my job, my home, everyone I knew in the world, even my life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Articles labeling her as a \u201clieutenant\u201d of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ghislaine-maxwell\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ghislaine Maxwell<\/a>, the longtime associate ofEpstein who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex-trafficking crimes, are a \u201cgross misrepresentation\u201d, Kellen claimed. \u201cI was a literal indentured slave; in fact, she even referred to me as her slave and minion. I had zero power or authority, I was there only to serve and to submit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI will not catalogue every assault; it would take too much time, but I want this committee to know that the abuse happened on average on a weekly basis, and was at times violent,\u201d said Kellen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The abuse continued while Epstein was serving a jail sentence in Florida for soliciting prostitution from underage girls, she alleged, describing how the financier \u201ceven Skyped me from a computer inside the Palm Beach County Stockade and ordered me to undress for him on camera\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Over the years, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/08\/29\/nyregion\/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell.html\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">lawsuits<\/a> and also during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2021\/dec\/31\/ghislaine-maxwell-convinction-increases-scrutiny-epstein-employees\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Maxwell\u2019s trial<\/a>, several Epstein survivors have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2015\/jan\/07\/jeffrey-epstein-former-accomplices-property-prince-andrew\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">accused<\/a> Kellen of arranging and scheduling massages and sex sessions for Epstein, and helping him recruit girls. According to Department of Justice records, reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/US\/former-epstein-assistant-house-committee\/story?id=133153223\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">ABC News<\/a>, Kellen has claimed she was given directories of names she was told to call, and denied knowing that some girls who came to the house were underage.<\/p>\n<figure data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.NewsletterSignupBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-ri3hap\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, it has been reported that federal prosecutors in New York <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/12\/23\/us\/politics\/epstein-investigation-criminal-charges.html\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">considered<\/a> possibly bringing charges against some in his orbit, including Kellen. She was never prosecuted or charged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In 2020, a spokesperson for Kellen told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/jeffrey-epstein-netflix-filthy-rich-sarah-ransome-ghislaine-maxwell\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">CBS News<\/a> that she had \u201cscheduled appointments for Epstein and Maxwell \u2018at their direction\u2019\u201d, and that Epstein had abused Kellen for years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Kellen told lawmakers on Thursday that she was not aware of the 2007 plea agreement at the time, adding that \u201cno one from law enforcement ever spoke with me, ever heard my side, ever asked me a single question\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI did not even know my name was in that agreement until after it had been signed and released to the public,\u201d she said. \u201cThe federal government of the United States branded me a criminal in a secret deal with my own abuser, without ever once speaking to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Also during her remarks, she told the panel: \u201cI know some of you are wondering why I did not leave. I had nowhere else to go. I had no money, no family, no education and no sense that I deserved any better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThis is why it is so important for people to be educated on how the grooming process works, how trauma bonds form,\u201d she added. \u201cI can provide more information about how I was groomed, but I will not speak for or about other victims.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Epstein \u201cmade certain I knew that defying him would cost me my life\u201d, said Kellen. \u201cHe knew everyone in the highest echelons of society and everyone catered to him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/ghislaine-maxwell\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Ghislaine Maxwell<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/society\/sex-trafficking\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Sex trafficking<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/house-of-representatives\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">House of Representatives<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-congress\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US Congress<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-crime\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US crime<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Jeffrey%20Epstein%20assistant%20fiercely%20denies%20she%20was%20an%20accomplice%20and%20claims%20he%20abused%20her&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/21\/jeffrey-epstein-assistant-sarah-kellen-abuse?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F21%2Fjeffrey-epstein-assistant-sarah-kellen-abuse&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/21\/jeffrey-epstein-assistant-sarah-kellen-abuse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sarah Kellen arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House oversight committee on 21 May 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2347\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}