Sarah Kellen
Breaking years of silence, Jeffrey Epstein’s former assistant Sarah Kellen has detailed her own horrific, violent abuse to Congress while naming three new suspected co-conspirators. YouTube Screenshot / We Are Iowa Local 5 News

A high-stakes congressional hearing in Washington has taken a dramatic turn following a closed-door session that left lawmakers stunned. House Oversight investigators suddenly found themselves facing unexpected disclosures regarding a notorious, elite abuse network.

With tensions running high on Capitol Hill, official confirmation of these new developments suggests the fallout from this investigation is only just beginning.

Three New Suspects Named in Testimony

Thursday's closed-door session with House Oversight investigators took a major turn when Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant handed over three new names of suspected co-conspirators.

Sarah Kellen proved to be highly cooperative during her private testimony, prompting committee chairman James Comer to state that her evidence was precisely what they had been waiting for. Speaking to the press after the session wrapped up, Comer expressed deep gratitude for the witness's cooperation.

'Sarah Kellen has been very helpful. Of all the people we have interviewed thus far, this was by far the most substantive and productive interview that we've had,' he noted. The chairman also acknowledged the immense personal toll of the deposition, adding, 'She was very brave coming forward. I can't imagine how difficult it was for her to go into detail about the abuse that she endured at the hands of Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell.'

'One very positive thing today is she gave us three names of people that were involved in abuse. These were new names for us,' Comer continued.

Comer Promises Full Public Disclosure

According to Comer, investigators plan to publish the full transcript from Kellen's deposition without delay, though the identities of various victims must be obscured beforehand. 'As far as the men that were the abusers—alleged abusers—the whole world will see that,' Comer said.

Kellen Rejects Accomplice Label, Details Abuse

Notably, Kellen has strongly rejected accusations that she acted as an accomplice to the convicted sex offender, telling investigators that she was actually subjected to sexual and psychological torment by the late financier. In her opening remarks to the House of Representatives oversight and reform committee on Thursday morning, she made her intentions clear as part of the panel's broader review into how the federal Epstein inquiry was handled.

'I am here today to answer your questions, to dispel rumors and conspiracies, and to tell you the truth,' she said.

She explained that it took years of professional therapy to finally understand that she had also fallen prey to Epstein's calculated grooming and control. Describing the frequency of the trauma in her opening statement to investigators, Kellen noted, 'The abuse happened on average on a weekly basis, and was at times violent.'

Sarah Kellen and Jeffrey Epstein
YouTube Screenshot / We Are Iowa Local 5 News

In her testimony, she recounted horrifying details of the ordeal, including instances where Epstein would come into her bedroom during the night and assault her as she slept. On another occasion in Palm Beach, she described being cornered in a gymnasium after he shut the metal hurricane screen, where he proceeded to choke and violently attack her.

Kellen told investigators that financial and emotional isolation trapped her in the role of his aide for such an extended period. 'I had no money, no family, no education, and no sense that I deserved any better,' she explained.

Blindsided by 2008 Federal Plea Deal

Back in 2008, Kellen was designated as a potential co-conspirator within Epstein's controversial, lenient plea agreement with federal prosecutors—an arrangement that ultimately protected him from federal sex-trafficking indictments.

Reflecting on that classification during her opening statement, she noted that she was completely blindsided by the decision. 'I was not told this was happening,' she stated. 'I was not asked about it. No one from law enforcement ever spoke with me, ever heard my side, ever asked me a single question.'

Ahead of her arrival on Capitol Hill, she expressed a desire to MS NOW to use her experience to create a positive impact, remarking, 'I want to start turning some of the pain and trauma into something good that can help others and bring awareness to this important topic.'

Complex Mechanics of Sex Trafficking Scheme

Reflecting on Kellen's unique position, fellow Epstein survivor Dani Bensky characterised the circumstances to MS NOW as 'complicated.' She pointed out that being exploited and subsequently pressured into bringing others into the fold creates an incredibly messy, complicated dynamic.

'When you are victimized and then you are put in a position where you are manipulated to recruit, that is a very sticky, complex situation,' Bensky observed. 'People really need to understand what sex trafficking is and what it looks like.... It really is like a pyramid scheme.'