Lesley Groff, who served as Jeffrey Epstein’s assistant for nearly two decades, told members of the House Oversight Committee during a closed-door session Tuesday that she arranged multiple phone calls between the financier and Donald Trump before Trump became president.
Groff, who began working for Epstein in 2001, said she helped facilitate the calls so the two men could connect, according to two Democratic committee members who spoke with reporters after the interview. Rep. Melanie Stansbury said the contacts were not frequent.
Rep. Stephen Lynch also confirmed Groff’s account.
“I believe she referred to a time before, before Mr. Trump was president, that she did arrange for multiple phone calls between the two,” Lynch said.
House Oversight Investigation
The testimony was provided as part of the House Oversight Committee’s ongoing investigation into Epstein’s activities and network. Groff played a significant role in Epstein’s operations, managing scheduling, travel arrangements and other logistical matters.
Court records connected to Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement in Florida identified Groff as an unindicted co-conspirator. She has never been charged with a crime.
Also Read: Key Trump Insider Admits Flying on Jeffrey Epstein’s Jet
Democratic lawmakers questioned Groff extensively about her knowledge of Epstein’s conduct. According to members present, she told the committee she did not witness any misconduct during her years working for him.
Several Democrats expressed skepticism about that claim. Rep. James Walkinshaw said it was not “remotely plausible” that Groff was unaware of Epstein’s actions. Lynch similarly questioned how she could arrange massages for young women involving a registered sex offender and not observe anything improper.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said he wanted Groff’s statements formally recorded in case future evidence contradicted her testimony.
Groff’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
White House Response
The White House strongly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing by Trump.
“Just as President Trump has said, he’s been totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement.
Also Read: Inside Closed-Door Testimony of the Last Person to See Epstein Alive
Jackson said Trump had released documents, cooperated with congressional requests, signed legislation related to transparency surrounding Epstein files, and called for additional investigations into Epstein’s associates.
Trump has repeatedly maintained that he severed ties with Epstein years before Epstein’s death in federal custody in 2019. He has not been charged with any crimes related to Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation.
Historical Connections
The hearing highlights continuing Democratic efforts to scrutinize Trump’s past social connections with Epstein, relationships that date back to the 1980s and 1990s in New York and Palm Beach social circles.
Publicly released flight logs indicate Trump flew on Epstein’s private plane at least once. Trump has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Republican members of the committee have not publicly detailed their questioning of Groff. The investigation has largely followed partisan lines, with Democrats concentrating on Trump associates while Republicans have emphasized Epstein’s ties to political, business and financial elites across the spectrum.
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