Epstein survivors challenge ex-assistant Lesley Groff’s testimony before Congress: Report | Today’s news

Several survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein challenged key claims made by his longtime assistant Lesley Groff during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee, saying her testimony contradicted their experiences, according to a CNN report.

Groff, who worked as Epstein’s assistant for 18 years, told lawmakers on June 9 that she had never met the girls and young women who gave Epstein massages, did not know their ages or backgrounds, and had no knowledge of Epstein’s abuse. She said she was manipulated by Epstein and was unaware of his criminal behavior, CNN reported.

However, several Epstein survivors interviewed by CNN said they met Groff on several occasions, communicated with her directly, and received payments from her.

“He’s lying,” says the survivor

Marina Lacerda, who told the newspaper she first met Epstein in 2002 when she was nearly 14, flatly rejected Groff’s testimony.

“She’s lying. Just me and my friends, she met at least three or four of us,” Lacerda said, according to news reports.

Other survivors echoed similar reports. Sharlene Rochard said she met Groff “several times in different places,” while Lara Blume McGee recalled meeting her at least twice at Epstein’s New York townhouse. Lisa Phillips also told CNN that she met Groff in person.

Two women, who spoke anonymously to CNN, also said they frequently interacted with Groff at Epstein’s New York residence and office.

Controversy over knowing the ages of the victims

Survivors also disputed Groff’s claim that she did not know how old the girls were.

According to CNN, Lacerda said Groff routinely asked the ages of girls she intended to introduce to Epstein.

“She would ask, ‘What does that girl look like? Where is she from? How old is she?'” Lacerda is said to have said.

Rochard said Groff processed passport information for travel arrangements, making it impossible for her to know their ages.

“She obviously knew how old we were because she had to look at our IDs to book the flight,” Rochard said, according to CNN.

One anonymous survivor told CNN that Groff helped her apply for her first passport, while another said Groff regularly saw her arriving in her school uniform after she left class early.

Claims for direct payments

Several survivors also disputed Groff’s testimony that she did not pay the girls directly.

Lacerda claimed that Groff often handed her money in white envelopes, especially when Epstein was away.

“She would put it in a long white envelope and the cash would always be in the hundreds,” Lacerda said.

Another anonymous survivor said she regularly collected envelopes of money from Groff.

“We went to pick up money from Lesley every other day … We didn’t have any money unless we brought a girl,” she told CNN.

Lisa Phillips also said she collected tuition checks from Groff at Epstein’s office.

Congress is reviewing the testimony

The news outlet said a spokesman for the House Oversight Committee said lawmakers were weighing Groff’s testimony against the available evidence.

“The committee is currently reviewing Ms. Groff’s transcript in light of the available evidence,” a spokesperson told CNN, adding that investigators welcome additional information from people with relevant knowledge.

Under US federal law, it is a crime to knowingly make materially false statements to Congress.

It calls for accountability

Survivors told CNN they fear the ongoing congressional investigation into Epstein’s associates may not lead to broader accountability.

“We have so many people who come in and lie and say they don’t know, they don’t remember,” Lacerda told CNN.

“Can we at least have one person come in and take responsibility and ensure full transparency?”

Groff was named as a potential co-conspirator in Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida, but was never charged with any crime.

To date, Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only person convicted in the United States in connection with Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring, while the Justice Department has said it lacks enough evidence to bring charges against others, even after releasing millions of Epstein-related files.