JEFFREY Epstein’s long-time personal assistant – named 16,000 times in the files – labelled her former boss a “master manipulator” as she pleaded ignorance to his life of evil.
Lesley Groff appeared distraught as she was propped up on her way to a congressional grilling behind closed doors on Tuesday.
Lesley Groff, longtime PA to Jeffrey Epstein, arriving for a behind-closed-doors interview before the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill Credit: Reuters
Groff has been accused of helping procure girls for Epstein and arranged his massages Credit: DOJ
She worked as Epstein’s PA from 2001 until his July 2019 arrest for child sex trafficking and described her relationship with the paedo financier as “strictly business“, despite booking daily massages for him.
The 59-year-old has largely avoided the media storm surrounding Epstein, but appears 160,000 times in the files – second only to Epstein himself – and has been accused of procuring his victims.
Epstein once described Groff as an “extension of my brain” and entrusted her with significant control over his empire.
Groff appeared yesterday in front of the House Oversight Committee, which is probing the federal government’s mishandling of investigations into Epstein and his alleged co-conspirators.
Previous interviewees include Attorney General Pam Bondi, another longtime PA Sarah Kellen, and a guard on duty the night Epstein died in his cell.
Groff’s intimate involvement in Epstein’s private life has fuelled speculation that she knew more than she has let on.
Among her job roles were scheduling Epstein’s frequent meetings with high profile figures, booking daily massages when he was in and arranging travel for women linked to him.
Groff was listed as one of four women who were potential co-conspirators in Epstein’s infamous non-prosecution deal in 2007 – when he was handed a slap on the wrist for child sex crimes.
Groff – who worked for Epstein from 2001 to 2019 – insists their relationship was ‘strictly business’ Credit: Getty – Contributor
She told lawmakers that being labelled a potential co-conspirator had been a ‘scarlet letter’ Credit: Reuters
According to federal prosecutors, “numerous victims [of Epstein] had indicated that she was responsible for scheduling massages during which they were sexually abused.”
Groff insisted that after his 2008 conviction, Epstein told her he had been blackmailed and set up – which she believed.
She has branded the decision to list her as a potential co-conspirator as a “scarlet letter” that has caused friends to distance themselves and exposed her family to harassment.
In her opening remarks to lawmakers, shared by the Guardian , Groff said: “I believe that my testimony will dispel the false notion that because of my employment with Epstein, I must have knowingly enabled or conspired with him to commit his evil acts.
“Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Mr Epstein was, in hindsight, a master manipulator and deceiver who separated his legitimate life from his secret life as an abuser and made sure that as his secretary those two worlds did not collide.”
Groff told lawmakers that she never had a romantic or sexual relationship with Epstein, nor socialised with him, nor flew on his private plane nor attended any of his parties.
She testified that Epstein and told her not to associate with their friends and colleagues, and that their business was none of hers.
Epstein was found guilty of child sex trafficking in 2008 Credit: DOJ
Groff claimed Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein told her to stay out of their personal business Credit: Reuters
Groff also claimed that she largely conducted his business from New York, and never visited his New Mexico ranch, Palm Beach residence or infamous private island, Little St. James.
Democratic Rep Stephen Lynch voiced doubt at Groff’s account, telling reporters: “It is highly inconsistent what she’s maintaining, that she really didn’t know even though she worked for him for 18 years.
“There are women who say she knew. There’s been some litigation around that point.
“There is a record of her making sure that that Mr. Epstein was in compliance with the limitations and restrictions that were placed on him as a registered sex offender.
“There seemed to be much, much more vagueness in terms of her awareness of what Mr. Epstein had done previously to these young girls.”
Last September, Epstein survivor Marina Lacerda called out Groff specifically, alleging that she was harassed so much by her that she dropped out of high school before the 9th grade.
“Anything that had to do with Jeffrey Epstein had to go through Lesley Groff,” Lacerda told ABC News .
Groff has maintained her innocence and has not been charged in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.
Banking records included in the DOJ files show that Epstein showered her with gifts during her employment.
Three payments of $100,000 and one for $110,000 from his companies were transferred to her between 2016 and 2018.
In 2005, Epstein bought her a new Mercedes and paid for a nanny to ensure she would keep working for him, according to the New York Times .
Michael Bachner, a lawyer for Groff, insisted that she “never knowingly booked travel for anyone under the age of 18, and had no knowledge of the alleged illegal activity whatsoever.”
He added: “Ms. Groff, a parent herself, is incredibly shocked and deeply upset about the alleged wrongdoings of Mr. Epstein.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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