As Epstein’s long-time aide, Lesley Groff was a central figure in the disgraced financier’s operations
For survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, Tuesday’s testimony from longtime assistant Lesley Groff could represent another opportunity to uncover the truth about how the disgraced financier operated for years while exploiting vulnerable young women and girls.
Groff, who worked as Epstein’s executive assistant from 2001 until his arrest in July 2019, is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight and Reform Committee as lawmakers continue investigating the network of employees, associates, and systems that surrounded Epstein throughout much of his criminal activity.
Survivors and advocates have long argued that understanding how Epstein was able to abuse so many victims requires examining not only Epstein himself, but also the people who managed his schedule, coordinated appointments, arranged travel, and helped oversee the day-to-day operations of his sprawling personal and professional life.
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Documents released by the Department of Justice earlier this year include notes from a 2021 FBI interview in which Groff described how she first came to work for Epstein after being contacted by a recruiter who told her there was a position available to “organize one man’s life.” According to the records, Groff said she had never heard of Epstein before interviewing for the role and eventually met with both Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking offenses.
The FBI interview notes indicate that Groff’s responsibilities included managing Epstein’s calendar, arranging meetings, making phone calls, coordinating with household staff, and overseeing many aspects of his daily schedule.
One detail that has drawn particular attention from investigators and survivors is Groff’s acknowledgment that massage appointments were a routine part of Epstein’s daily life. According to FBI notes, Groff said arranging such appointments was simply another task she handled as part of her job responsibilities.
For many survivors, however, questions remain about what employees and associates may have understood about the true nature of those appointments and the environment that existed around Epstein’s homes and properties.
Groff has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Through her attorneys, she has maintained that she was unaware of any illegal conduct and has never been accused of criminal wrongdoing by prosecutors. No criminal charges have ever been filed against her.
Still, public scrutiny intensified after it became known that Groff was among four women identified as potential co-conspirators who received immunity under Epstein’s controversial 2007 plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida, a deal that has faced years of criticism from victims and victim advocates.
Groff’s attorney, Michael Bachner, has said that “Epstein repeatedly deceived Groff and other staff members regarding the allegations against him. According to Bachner, Epstein insisted he was being blackmailed and falsely accused, and denied knowingly having contact with minors.”
Lesley Groff attends Central Park Conservancy 30th anniversary gala at Central Park Boathouse on 23 February 2010 in New York City. Photograph: Patrick McMullan/Getty Images
Whether employees accepted those explanations or questioned them remains one of the many issues that continue to interest investigators and lawmakers.
Additional records released by the Justice Department include an internal FBI document from 2019 listing Groff among several individuals identified as possible co-conspirators. Groff’s attorney has said she was never informed that law enforcement viewed her in that way and emphasized that she cooperated voluntarily with investigators.
At the same time, some survivors have expressed a different perspective. In a 2020 FBI interview, one survivor reportedly stated a belief that Groff “knew what was going on” and understood that massage appointments were sexual in nature. The survivor also acknowledged that they never directly discussed those concerns with Groff.
Following Epstein’s death in 2019, Groff was named in several civil lawsuits filed by survivors against Epstein’s estate and various associates. Some plaintiffs alleged that she helped facilitate aspects of Epstein’s abuse. Groff has denied those allegations, and the claims against her were ultimately dismissed.
Despite those dismissals, many survivors continue to seek answers about who knew what, when they knew it, and why warning signs may have gone unaddressed for so long.
That search for accountability is expected to be a central focus of Groff’s appearance before Congress.
In a letter subpoenaing Groff to testify, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer stated that public reporting, Justice Department records, and materials obtained by the committee suggested she possessed information relevant to the ongoing investigation.
For survivors who spent years fighting to be heard, Groff’s testimony represents more than another congressional interview. It is another chance to shed light on the inner workings of Epstein’s world and potentially provide long-awaited answers about how his abuse was able to continue for so many years behind closed doors.
Last month, another former Epstein assistant, Sarah Kellen, also appeared before the committee. Kellen denied being an accomplice to Epstein and testified that she herself had been sexually and psychologically abused during her time working for him.
As lawmakers continue their investigation, survivors and advocates alike are hoping that those who were closest to Epstein’s daily operations will finally help fill in the remaining gaps and bring greater clarity to a chapter that continues to leave many questions unanswered.
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Remember, every branch of this man’s administration has a level of corruption. The FBI, DOJ, and every leader of all of the most important areas of government including SCOTUS and critically important” that man” whose boots they kiss are corrupted.
Without “truth tellers” in the Republican/MAGA party, or a definitive win in Midterms, I see no way the truth will see daylight until they are all replaced. We don’t have two more years to wait. If democrats lose the midterms through treacherous behaviors by trump and his treasonous minions, “and they will do anything, anything”not to lose, democracy will die. The WH will be “his” home covered in tacky gold s___, and he will rape this country of all the goodness.
Remember, every branch of this man’s administration has a level of corruption. The FBI, DOJ, and every leader of all of the most important areas of government including SCOTUS and critically important” that man” whose boots they kiss are corrupted.
Without “truth tellers” in the Republican/MAGA party, or a definitive win in Midterms, I see no way the truth will see daylight until they are all replaced. We don’t have two more years to wait. If democrats lose the midterms through treacherous behaviors by trump and his treasonous minions, “and they will do anything, anything”not to lose, democracy will die. The WH will be “his” home covered in tacky gold s___, and he will rape this country of all the goodness.
Thursday we will be in the same position we are today!