Epstein Survivors Challenge Former Aide Groff's House Testimony

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Multiple Jeffrey Epstein survivors are challenging key portions of former Epstein aide Lesley Groff's testimony to Congress, saying she falsely claimed she never met them, did not know their ages and never paid them on Epstein's behalf.

The allegations stem from Groff's June 9 interview with the House Oversight Committee, where Epstein's longtime executive assistant said she was unaware of his abuse of girls and young women and denied having personal knowledge of many of the women who later accused the convicted sex offender, reports CNN.

A committee spokeswoman said the House body is "reviewing Ms. Groff's transcript against the available evidence."

"We welcome any additional evidence from individuals who possess information," she said.

Sara Guerrero, communications director for the committee's top Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, said Groff should have testified under oath.

"Lesley Groff knew what was happening in Epstein's inner circle, which is why Chairman [James] Comer should have required her to testify under oath," Guerrero said in a statement. "Lying to Congress is a crime, and anyone who does it should be held accountable, full stop."

Groff's attorney did not respond to CNN's request for comment.

Groff worked as Epstein's assistant for 18 years and was identified as a potential co-conspirator in the controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement reached between Epstein and federal prosecutors in Florida. She has never been charged with a crime.

During her committee interview, Groff portrayed herself as another victim of Epstein's deception.

"For 18 years, I worked for Dr. Jekyll but was never permitted to see the true Mr. Hyde," she told lawmakers.

Among Groff's most sweeping assertions was that she never met the girls and young women who visited Epstein.

"To my knowledge, I never met any of these masseuses," she told the committee.

Six Epstein survivors interviewed by CNN disputed that claim, saying they encountered Groff repeatedly at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse and New York office.

"She's lying," survivor Marina Lacerda told CNN. "Just me and my friends, she's met at least three or four of us."

Sharlene Rochard said she met Groff "multiple times in different locations," while Lara Blume McGee recalled seeing Groff at Epstein's townhouse on at least two occasions. Two women who spoke anonymously also said they met Groff numerous times while visiting Epstein's New York properties.

The survivors also challenged Groff's testimony that she never knew their ages or whether some of the girls were minors.

Lacerda said Groff routinely questioned her about girls she planned to introduce to Epstein.

"She would ask, 'What does the girl look like? Where is she from? How old is she?'" Lacerda said.

Rochard said Groff had access to her passport information while arranging travel.

"Of course she knew how old we were because she had to look at our IDs to book our flight," Rochard said.

Another woman, who spoke anonymously, said Groff helped her apply for her first passport.

"I sat with her, and she took all my information in person. She obviously knew my age," the woman said.

Groff acknowledged during her testimony that she "may have seen a passport [or] a picture of a passport," but said she never handled the women's passports.

Several survivors also disputed Groff's testimony that she never paid the young women on Epstein's behalf.

Lacerda said Groff frequently handed her cash in white envelopes at Epstein's New York office, particularly when Epstein was traveling.

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

Another anonymous survivor said she regularly picked up cash from Groff, while Lisa Phillips said Groff provided her with checks to cover school tuition.

The conflicting accounts have added to frustration among Epstein survivors, many of whom have expressed concern that Congress' investigation into Epstein's associates will not result in additional accountability.

Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only person convicted in the United States in connection with Epstein's sex trafficking operation, while the Justice Department has said it found insufficient evidence to bring charges against other associates despite reviewing millions of pages of investigative records.

"We have so many people coming in and lying and saying they don't know, they don't remember," Lacerda said. "Can we just have one person at least come in and take accountability and bring in full transparency?"

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