Epstein survivors speak at House Dems hearing

[0:00] Well, good morning, everyone, and I want to begin by opening up this hearing. [1:11] Of course, we're here in Palm Beach County, and Oversight Democrats are here because we're [1:17] launching a new phase of our Epstein investigation. [1:21] Our committee, of course, has been leading on this over the last year. [1:25] Now we're here, of course, in Palm Beach, of course, just miles away from Mar-a-Lago, [1:31] from key locations where this Epstein investigation has taken us, because from the very beginning, [1:36] we know that Florida has been a key place where so much of the horrors and crimes of Jeffrey [1:43] Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell have happened. [1:47] The survivors of Jeffrey Epstein deserve to be heard, and as a committee, we should always [1:52] uplift their stories, and I want to thank them, of course, for being here today. [1:57] We know that many of our witnesses today that you'll hear from were actually failed by their [2:02] own government. [2:04] We will hear how the FBI ignored Maria Farmer's courageous report in 1996. [2:10] We will hear how Alex Acosta, the future Secretary of Labor at the time, overruled some of his [2:16] own prosecutors and worked with Epstein's attorneys to grant a sweetheart deal which allowed Epstein [2:22] to continue assaulting women. [2:25] We will learn how Epstein continued to game the system and the law to prey on women expanding [2:31] his trafficking network overseas. [2:34] And we will hear from people who have fought hard to bring him to justice. [2:39] We're also going to hear about a continued cover-up, which is harm survivors, how some have been [2:45] doxxed or put into danger, ignored, re-victimized, and betrayed by this government. [2:53] These stories are both horrific and outrageous, but they should also inspire us to keep fighting [2:59] for the full truth. [3:01] We are here because every American deserves equal justice. [3:06] It doesn't matter who you are, how powerful you are, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, [3:12] how much wealth you may have. [3:15] If you hurt women and girls, you will be held accountable. [3:19] We should also be very clear that Epstein was not alone. [3:24] Others enabled him. [3:26] We know he was surrounded by lawyers, accountants, private investigators, and assistants. [3:33] Many of those people who have been forced to testify for the first time because of our [3:37] investigation have given us key information, whether it's been through depositions or interviews. [3:44] But some, even some that we've recently spoken with, were never contacted by law enforcement [3:51] in the 30 years since Maria Farmer's first report. [3:57] Why is it only now that we have begun these interviews, these depositions, that folks are [4:04] being contacted for the first time in decades? [4:09] And that should outrage every single American. [4:14] Some of these men enabled financial crimes. [4:19] Others fought to hide facts about this case and to deny justice and closure for [4:24] survivors. [4:26] All of these people need to be called out and held accountable. [4:30] And these are failures of multiple governments and administrations. [4:34] Regardless of party, everyone has failed the public and certainly everyone has failed [4:43] the survivors, especially those that sought justice and that had the ability and courage [4:50] to file reports. [4:51] Because we also know that so many others didn't have that opportunity or the support to do so. [5:00] This is why we're here today. [5:02] Now, before I introduce our witnesses, I want to briefly just mention a few things about [5:06] the investigation. [5:07] Now, oversight Democrats launched our investigation when we forced a subpoena for the full unredacted [5:14] files from the Department of Justice last year. [5:17] And I especially want to thank Representative Summer Lee for her leadership to get that actual [5:22] done. [5:23] So thank you, Congresswoman. [5:24] To this day, the Department of Justice continues to break the law and defy that subpoena. [5:34] It's not just about the Transparency Act, which is so critical to moving this debate and the [5:39] truth forward. [5:41] But that subpoena and the defiance pushed us then, of course, including with leadership [5:46] from Congressman Ro Khanna to get the Epstein Files Transparency Act through the Congress. [5:52] But let's be very clear. [5:54] The DOJ continues to withhold half, half of the Epstein files have not been released to [6:03] the public. [6:05] Now, we've heard testimony from Alex Acosta, former attorneys general Bill Barr, Les Wexner, [6:10] Darren Indyke, Richard Kahn, folks that are key to the Epstein investigation. [6:16] We've heard from former President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, Commerce Secretary Howard [6:20] Lutnick just last week. [6:22] And we have talked, of course, to survivors, witnesses and whistleblowers. [6:26] And we have brought critical documents to light from Jeffrey Epstein's estates, emails, [6:30] photographs, videos. [6:33] We secured bank records, documents. [6:35] And we've done all this without formal committee subpoena power to properly conduct this investigation. [6:43] But we're undeterred, and we're going to continue to fight until they get the truth. [6:49] Today, we're also, Oversight Democrats are also publishing a new report. [6:54] Now, this report uses evidence obtained by our investigation, including, and most importantly, [6:59] bank records that show how Alex Acosta's sweetheart deal let Epstein build a global network using [7:07] enablers to bring in women who he could then exploit and abuse. [7:10] And this report is just the beginning of numerous reports and information that we intend to put [7:18] out over the course of the months ahead. [7:21] This hearing is about making one thing clear, and that is that no one is above the law. [7:27] Survivors matter, and this committee will continue to demand transparency. [7:32] Before I turn this over to our colleagues, I want to thank Congresswoman Lois Frankel, [7:36] who has been critical in this fight for many years. [7:40] Congresswoman Lois Frankel, of course, represents the community that we're in now. [7:52] I want to thank her for hosting us. [7:53] I also want to thank, particularly, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, their staff, [7:58] the county, West Palm Beach PD, all for their assistance today. [8:02] And I want to recognize Congresswoman Lois Frankel for a few brief remarks. [8:06] Thank you, Mr. Chair. [8:07] And welcome, everybody, to West Palm Beach. [8:10] And we're gathered here in the chamber that's very near and dear to me, [8:14] because I was mayor here for eight years, and I've had the honor of serving this. [8:19] And I'm very proud to be with my Democratic colleagues of the House Oversight Committee, [8:23] of course, the various witnesses, and most importantly, the survivors, [8:28] whose courage and perseverance made this hearing possible. [8:33] And to the survivors, I want to say, and I know I say this to everyone here, thank you. [8:38] Thank you for your strength. [8:40] Thank you for your resilience. [8:41] And thank you for your determination to tell the truth, even when the system failed you. [8:48] This hearing is long overdue. [8:50] Myself and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, we have been asking for a hearing for many years here, [8:56] for many reasons I won't go into. [8:58] But we're here today. [9:00] Because it is right here, folks, right here in Palm Beach County, [9:05] more than 20 years ago that the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes were first [9:11] denied justice with devastating results. [9:15] In 2005, the Palm Beach Police Department, led by then Chief Michael Ryder, I'm giving him a shout out, [9:22] a good guy, he uncovered a deeply disturbing pattern of predatory sexual abuse [9:29] by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, targeting women, of course, and young girls. [9:36] Many recruited from our local high schools right here in Palm Beach County. [9:40] The police did their job. [9:42] They listened to the survivors. [9:44] They built a serious case. [9:46] Then they brought it to then State Attorney Barry Krischer. [9:49] I call his name because his succeeding prosecutors are not involved. [9:54] But instead of filing charges, was it overwhelmed by the power, by the wealth? [10:03] He sent the case to a grand jury where prosecutors shockingly minimized the abuse, [10:10] limited the witnesses, and treated vulnerable young girls as if they were criminals. [10:15] And you can read that grand jury testimony yourself. [10:20] At the urging of Krischer's prosecutors, the grand jury returned just one count against [10:25] Epstein, and it is jaw-dropping solicitation of prostitution, punishable by up to 60 days in jail. [10:35] How crazy and wrong, an abomination, if you ask me. [10:41] Disappointed and alarmed, Chief Ryder took the case to federal authorities, [10:45] and what followed was more shock and awe to the justice system. [10:50] In 2008, as we've heard, Acosta approved the secret, shameful, non-prosecution deal without [10:56] notifying the survivors, and then sent the case back to Palm Beach County. [11:00] Epstein was allowed to plead guilty to solicitation of prostitution, solicitation for a minor for [11:08] prostitution. [11:09] Really? [11:10] That was that? [11:11] And then he got an 18-month sentence, which he served about 13 months, [11:15] federal immunity from prosecution here in South Florida, immunity for unnamed co-conspirators, [11:24] and work relief privileges. [11:26] Listen to this. [11:27] He had work relief privileges that allowed him to leave the jail each day to continue his systematic [11:36] sexual exploitation of women and girls. [11:39] And the most troubling, also, deal was hidden from the public, and the full extent didn't come to [11:45] light until reporting from the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach Post, who brought the fight to bring [11:51] the grand jury records into the open. [11:53] Justice was denied without explanation, and listen, I'm hoping as we move forward, these local prosecutors [12:01] must be subpoenaed, and they must be questioned under oath, because they think they know the secret. [12:12] So these survivors were abused first by a predator and then failed by a justice system that too often [12:16] protected wealth and power over vulnerable women and children. [12:20] And let's be clear, folks, had prosecutors in Florida done their jobs, most likely hundreds of young [12:27] women might have been spared unimaginable harm. [12:31] So we're here again. [12:32] We're going to continue to ask the questions, questions that should have been answered years ago. [12:36] Why was Jeffrey Epstein, a serial predator who uses wealth and influence to exploit underage girls, [12:45] given little more than a slap of the wrist? [12:49] Who else should be held accountable? [12:52] And what must we continue to do to make sure this never happens again? [12:56] We owe the survivors and the public the answers and more. [13:01] And with that, I thank you and I yield back. [13:04] Thank you. [13:05] Thank you, Congresswoman. [13:07] We're going to, of course, hear some opening testimony from survivors and advocates who will [13:12] speak about the failure of our justice system to protect them, others, and certainly to hold [13:18] Epstein and so many others accountable. [13:20] I want to they're going to each provide some opening remarks. [13:22] I do want to introduce them briefly. [13:24] We're going to hear from Dani Benski, who is an advocate, dance, teaching artist, choreographer, [13:31] and Epstein survivor. [13:33] As an educator of the arts, Dani's advocacy derives from creating a safer world for her students [13:38] and future generations. [13:40] She is a public speaker and hopes that by sharing her story, we can get an insight perspective into [13:44] grooming and how abuse can happen and how systems fail people. [13:51] Dani was abused by Jeffrey Epstein in 2004 and 2005 when she was just 17 years old [13:57] and working as a dancer in New York City. [14:01] She has since spoken out about the government's handling of the case and has pursued legal action. [14:06] And of course, the amount of courage is incredible. [14:10] And I want to thank, of course, Dani for being here. [14:12] We'll also hear from Rosa. [14:15] Rosa is testifying under her first name and under that name only just for her own safety. [14:21] She was recruited in Uzbekistan by a modeling agent, co-conspirator, and brought to the U.S. [14:27] with promises of a career. [14:29] She met Jeffrey Epstein in 2009 and was abused over several years. [14:34] With her immigration status used to keep her from leaving, Rosa is a fighter, a coach, a wife, [14:43] and a stepmother. [14:47] And her courage, of course, is immense. [14:49] And we want to thank Rosa for being here. [14:52] We're going to hear from Courtney Wilde, who was abused by Jeffrey Epstein in Palm Beach beginning [14:58] at the age of 14. [15:00] Courtney is a mom, advocate, and survivor. [15:05] She later brought a lawsuit against the federal government over the non-prosecution agreement [15:09] that allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges. [15:13] And she will speak about its lasting impact on survivors. [15:18] We're also going to hear from Jenna Lisa Jones, who was abused by Jeffrey Epstein in Florida when [15:24] she was 14 years old. [15:27] She has spoken publicly about her experience and about her disappointment with the failure [15:32] to fully release information related to this case. [15:36] She is a mom, a wife, and a founding survivor of Survivors, Inc. [15:40] We're going to also hear from Spencer Kuvin, who is an attorney who represented some of the [15:46] earliest survivors to come forward against Epstein. [15:49] And he's spent years advocating on behalf of victims. [15:52] He will speak about the failures in the original prosecution and the impact those failures have had [15:57] on survivors. [15:58] We'll also hear from Lauren Hirsch, who's a former prosecutor and an advocate working [16:04] to combat trafficking and exploitation. [16:06] She will discuss the ongoing efforts by survivors and advocates to seek accountability and justice. [16:12] We will also hear from Maria Farmer by video, who's the first person to report Jeffrey Epstein's [16:19] abuse to authorities in 1996. [16:22] She'll be providing video testimony. [16:25] Finally, Sky and Amanda Roberts are here. [16:29] We all, of course, know their incredible courage, and they'll be reading a brief statement as well. [16:35] We will continue, of course, to honor Virginia's memory, [16:38] her legacy, and her tireless fight for justice. [16:43] I want to especially thank the witnesses for being here and for your enormous courage. [16:49] You are doing, obviously, a service, not just to all of the women and girls that have suffered, [16:57] but to every single American woman and American girl in this country who need to be believed, [17:06] who need to know that when they report a horror against them, that their government is going to [17:12] believe them and is going to stand up for them. [17:15] And so thank you for your courage today. [17:17] And now we're going to hear a video that Maria Farmer wanted to, she wanted folks to hear about. [17:27] And so we're going to go ahead and play that. [17:29] So, Ms. Farmer will be right back. [17:30] My name is Maria Farmer. [17:32] I am the whistleblower who reported Jeffrey Epstein, Gilan Maxwell, Les Wexner, and others [17:38] to the FBI 30 years ago in 1996. [17:43] Today, I apologize for my appearance. [17:45] I was not well enough to attend this hearing in person and have recently been released from the [17:49] hospital. [17:50] That's the result of 30 years of fighting. [17:54] For three decades, I've carried a weight that no survivor should ever have to bear. [17:59] I reported what I believed were heinous crimes against children, [18:02] and these individuals responsible were involved in an international pedophile ring. [18:07] I reported their crimes in real time, and the government continues to ignore me to this day. [18:12] In 1996, I reported Epstein and his co-conspirators to my local New York City 6th Precinct. [18:19] The commanding officer told me local police could only address the local arson crimes, [18:23] and he instructed me to immediately report the whole story spanning several states to the FBI. [18:29] He told me that it was vitally important that I tell the whole story to the FBI, which I did. [18:34] The FBI asked me questions, said they were familiar with some of the perpetrators I identified, [18:39] and gave me every reason to believe they would respond. [18:43] That failure, that single moment when law enforcement refused to take action, [18:46] set off a cascade of injustice and grave repercussions to my sisters, my family, [18:52] and so many others, and to me personally, including my health and well-being. [18:58] The FBI's decades of failure and inaction led to countless more girls and young women [19:02] suffering abuse and trauma that could have been prevented. Individuals like Virginia Giffray, [19:09] Manushka DiGiorgio, Chante Davies, Marika Chartoni, Danny Benski, Jenna Lisa Jones, [19:17] Ashley Rubright, and Jennifer Rose, among others. Each survivor represents a life change forever, [19:24] suffering that could have been spared if the FBI had done their job in 1996. The failures did not stop there. [19:32] In 2006, the FBI tracked me down, stating that they searched for me because they knew I had reported [19:38] Epstein 10 years earlier, and no one else had. They urged me to testify in a federal criminal trial [19:44] against Epstein and his co-conspirators, and they promised that they would get him this time. [19:50] I trusted them again, relied upon them again, and they betrayed me again. Rather than following through [19:56] with their promises, the government offered Epstein a sweetheart deal and shielded powerful individuals [20:01] from accountability, and they persist in granting special treatment to certain people to this day. [20:07] I have received death threats from Maxwell and her associates, including one instance where they [20:11] threatened to burn my apartment down, and those threats have not stopped. I have been subjected to [20:18] more than three decades of ongoing harassment, vicious challenges to my truthfulness, and real danger [20:27] from internet instigators, trolls, and more. Meanwhile, my numerous efforts to obtain my 1996 report [20:36] from the FBI have been rejected time and again. In 2023, I wrote a letter to the government asking for [20:42] an investigation of the government's actions or inactions in response to my 1996 report. The [20:49] inspector general replied saying they were busy with other things, would get back to me, and they never [20:54] did. I sent multiple FOIA requests for my FBI report records. In January 2025, in response to my most [21:01] recent request, the government said that they would get back to me in November of 2027, a delay of three years. [21:09] I finally received a letter saying they looked at my complaint, took some kind of action, and the matter [21:14] was addressed, but what they did was a secret. With no other choice, I filed an administrative claim [21:21] against the government, and then a lawsuit. Since then, virtually nothing has happened, and I'm left [21:28] waiting and wondering what is next. With the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act after years of [21:34] efforts to get my records, an FD-71 form was released for the first time, confirming just a small part [21:41] of my 1996 whistleblower report and vindicating some of what I had said for years. However, the full extent [21:49] of what I told the FBI was not in that document, so the release of the Epstein Files provides only [21:55] partial relief for me. Where is the evidence I provided of my sexual assault and that of my sister [22:03] Annie? Why won't the FBI release my full report? The failures of those sworn to protect us have [22:10] overwhelmed me. Doing my civic duty has caused me dearly. The stress of this trauma, the government [22:17] hiding and refusing to turn over written confirmation of my 1996 report, along with the ongoing harassment and [22:23] death threats, have contributed to me, developing serious health issues, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, [22:30] a brain tumor, and recently Addison's disease. In the last month, I have spent 23 nights in hospitals, [22:39] including multiple nights in the ICU. Along with my health, it has robbed me of my career. In 1996, [22:47] I was fresh out of graduate school and living a life that I had always dreamed, creating and selling art [22:52] in New York City. When I was assaulted, threatened, held captive, my career was halted and the trajectory [22:59] of my life was thrown off course. So many others had their dreams shattered by these crimes and they [23:05] could have been prevented. Individuals like Virginia Jaffray, who is the backbone of this case and remains [23:11] the inspiration behind this fight, she's the reason my sister and I came forward publicly so we could stand [23:17] together. She faced also relentless attacks to her credibility online, yet she fought. While Virginia [23:24] may no longer be physically beside us, she's been our shining star and guiding light and remains so [23:29] today. The rest of humanity owes it to her legacy to continue this quest. We are still walking down the [23:36] trail that Virginia blazed for us, so let me be direct about what we need. The federal government owes us [23:43] explanations, accountability for injuries caused, and a promise of systemic change when crimes against [23:50] children are reported. Accountability should start with the government's acknowledgement and responsibility [23:56] for their repeated failures to act in response to my 1996 report. The government needs to take [24:02] responsibility for endangering and injuring girls and young women. The government needs to start telling [24:08] the truth, face my lawsuit, and be held to account to me and to all others who have been harmed. Had the FBI [24:16] done their job, 30 years of child sex abuse and trauma could have been avoided. I want my full FBI file, [24:24] including the 96 and 2006 reports, including my art. We also need the FBI and the Department of Justice to [24:35] fully investigate every lead in this case. We need investigation and prosecution of everyone responsible, [24:41] both men and women. This includes the officials who enabled the 2008 sweetheart deal, [24:47] the other perpetrators, and the many co-conspirators, and anyone who is currently shielding powerful [24:53] individuals from justice. No more protection for the guilty. There must be no pardoning or [24:58] communi- communi- commuting the sentence of Maxwell, who sexually abused me, my minor sister, hurt so many [25:05] girls and other young women, and personally threatened to kill me, has shown no remorse, and has not- has [25:12] demonstrated no basis on which to believe she would ever be truthful. As the Epstein case whistleblower, [25:19] I have waited three decades for justice. It's a miracle I'm still fighting, especially considering [25:26] what the stress of three decades of this case has done to my health and well-being. I will keep [25:31] fighting for justice and transparency for a better, safer future for the next generation. Thank you. [25:39] Well, thank you. Obviously, I know we don't often get to hear from Ms. Farmer, and we're just very [25:45] grateful that she chose to address, obviously, us and the country. I also want to thank her sister, [25:52] Annie Farmer, who has been an incredible advocate, a survivor, of course, herself, [25:57] and has really worked to share her sister's story and her own story whenever possible. We're going to hear [26:04] some opening remarks also from Skye and Amanda Roberts, and so I would ask them to join us here [26:11] at the podium, and I want to thank them also for their courage and for being here. Thank you, [26:25] Representative Garcia and all members here today. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to be here. [26:30] Obviously, wish Virginia was here to do this herself, but I will do my best to keep it together [26:37] and to get through this. My name is Skye Roberts, and I am the younger brother of Virginia Roberts [26:43] Jufre. I am here today because without Virginia's courage and her story, we would not be having this [26:49] conversation about accountability. In the summer of 2000, just steps away from this courtroom at [26:56] Mar-a-Lago, Virginia was recruited by convicted trafficker, Ghislaine Maxwell. She was only 16 years [27:05] old, a child who had just finished 10th grade when she began being trafficked. Before her passing, [27:12] Virginia gave sworn testimony, exposing this for what it truly was, a global sex trafficking operation [27:20] enabled, protected, and funded by powerful people. For years, survivors have been asked the same [27:26] question, who were the names? The truth is, many survivors stay silent because many of these [27:33] individuals still hold power, wealth, and influence in our society. Point blank period, that is dangerous. [27:42] No survivor should have to risk their own safety just to be believed. But Virginia, [27:51] she did it anyway. She stood up when others were afraid, told the truth under oath, and faced people [27:59] she knew were powerful. Today, we lean on her courage once again because she believed accountability [28:06] should reach everyone involved, no matter their status or influence. If Virginia were here today, [28:13] she would say these words herself. Since she cannot, I will say them for her as her little brother. [28:26] And with that, I'd like to share Virginia's own words from her sworn deposition dated May 3rd, 2016. [28:40] They trafficked me to many people. Okay, please name a person that Ghislaine Maxwell directed you to have [28:47] sex with. Prince Andrew. Okay, who else? As a whole, they both trafficked me to many people. Okay, [29:01] so can you please tell me when Ghislaine Maxwell asked you to have sex with another person? [29:05] Glenn Dubin. Who else? Well, Redacted is another one. Ghislaine Maxwell asked you to have sex with [29:15] Redacted? And Glenn Dubin and Steve Kaufman were, like I said, the first people I was sent to after my [29:26] training. And where does Alan Dershowitz fit into this group of people? Same. I can't tell you piece [29:34] by piece by piece who I know Glenn Dubin was first. Okay, and I know Stephen Kaufman was the one of the [29:42] first that I was sent to. Alan Dershowitz could have been between there, between, sorry, between Glenn [29:48] and Stephen. This is only a small sample of the thousands of stories that still remain untold. But the [29:59] question today is no longer whether names exist. The question is, what will Congress and the Department [30:05] of Justice do about it? Even if only a handful of names are publicly known, will there finally be [30:11] investigations and accountability? With that, I'd like to turn it over to my wife, Amanda Roberts. [30:23] First, I want to thank this committee and Representative Garcia and everyone here who continues to fight [30:28] with us for accountability, but most importantly, standing with survivors. Virginia's story was harrowing. [30:36] And as you heard my husband speak, she wasn't afraid to say the names. We are talking about [30:42] millions of files, sworn testimony, depositions, emails, flight records, bank records, photographs, [30:48] videos, and evidence collected over decades. Evidence that points to a network, not just to people who [30:55] trafficked and abused over 1,200 victims. Girls, children, women, and boys. [31:05] Epstein and Maxwell did not act alone. And Palm Beach was the blueprint. It was the center for expansion. [31:15] So when this Department of Justice says there is nothing to see here, survivors know exactly what [31:20] that sounds like a cover-up. Virginia wrote in Nobody's Girl, don't be fooled by those in Epstein's [31:28] circle who said they didn't know what Epstein was doing. That sentence should guide this committee's [31:35] work. Because I don't recall is not enough. When people like Les Wexner are asked about Epstein's [31:43] finances and alleged connections to his network, the public deserves real answers and investigations. [31:50] When Howard Lutnick has given changing accounts about his association with Epstein, [31:55] that deserves scrutiny, resignations, and investigations. When former Prince Andrew denied knowing Virginia, [32:03] despite evidence and testimony surrounding that encounter, that deserves scrutiny and investigation. [32:10] And when Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Galay Maxwell, a convicted sex trapper, [32:18] accused of perjury, and shortly after was moved to a minimum security prison, that demands answers [32:25] and investigations. So today we ask for four things. First, Congress must hold this Department of [32:32] Justice accountable, including contempt proceedings, as the record has shown that this DOJ has violated the [32:38] law. Second, state investigations must continue and expand in New Mexico, New York, Florida, [32:46] the Virgin Islands, and everywhere this network operated. Third, this committee must issue further subpoenas [32:54] and require alleged co-conspirators, enablers, financers, and witnesses to testify under oath. [33:03] Fourth, follow the money. Financial records are not secondary. They may be the key to exposing the full [33:11] network. Suspicious payments, shell entities, possible tax violations, money laundering, [33:17] and transactions connected to trafficking and abuse must be investigated aggressively because financial [33:23] crimes can open the door and lead to real prosecutions. And finally, the Epstein and Maxwell [33:30] investigations must be reopened, not partially, not quietly, but fully. Survivors and the public deserve [33:39] the truth, and enablers must no longer hide behind wealth, power, or silence. Thank you. Thank you both [33:49] very much for those words. We are going to begin and hear some opening statements from our witnesses. So I [33:59] want to just start by thanking Ms. Wild, who's going to be recognized now for her opening five-minute [34:05] statement. Ms. Wild. Hello, my name is Courtney Wild. When I was 14 years old, I was abused by Jeffrey [34:15] Epstein. He abused me until I was 17 years old. What happened to me was terrible, but what happened [34:22] after that by our own government changed my life just as much. I came here today to ask for one simple [34:29] thing, to make sure this never happens again. I filed a case under the Crime Victims Rights Act because [34:35] government secretly made a deal with Jeffrey Epstein. They signed a non-prosecution agreement. They made [34:43] the deal behind closed doors. They never told me, and they never told any of us. Instead, they sent [34:50] letters telling me to be patient, even though they knew the case was already over. For years, I believed [34:56] there was an investigation happening. There wasn't. When I found out the truth, I went to my lawyer, Brad [35:03] Edwards. He took my case in 2008, and he fought for me against the government for over a decade. We [35:12] wanted to do the right thing for all victims. Together, we wanted answers to a simple question, [35:18] how could this happen? We had to fight all the way to the 11th Circuit, which took years to get the [35:24] emails between the government and Jeffrey's lawyers to help us understand what happened. When we finally got [35:31] them, they showed something I will never forget. The government wasn't trying to negotiate with [35:37] Epstein's lawyers. It looked like the government was trying to make him happy. They were trying to [35:42] make sure that the punishment they were going to give him was okay with him. It seemed like they had [35:48] forgotten that there were 40 of us kids who had been abused by him. I was so confused because where I [36:00] come from, if you commit a crime, you go to jail. I have never heard the feds of letting you help them [36:07] decide which crimes they're going to charge you with or if you're cool with how long you're going to [36:12] spend in jail. But I thought, what do I know? Maybe that's how it works for rich guys. That's how it did [36:20] work for Jeffrey Epstein. Finally, after 10 years of fighting in 2019, a federal judge finally ruled that my [36:28] rights and that the rights of other victims were violated by the non-prosecution agreement. But there [36:37] was nothing that could be done about it. There was no remedy. I just want to say it again. I'm sorry. I have [36:46] to. The court found that the government violated the law and nothing happened. That means the law, [36:54] the crime victims' rights act, 18 U.S.C. 3771, does not matter. And if the law has no consequences, [37:05] it doesn't protect anybody. I was lucky to have a lawyer willing to fight for me for almost a decade. [37:13] A lot of victims won't find that, especially in this case where everybody made us feel like we were [37:18] crazy. So I'm asking you to fix that. Please fix the crime victims' rights act so it could actually [37:25] help victims in the future. I have my own ideas and my lawyers have more ideas, but I really hope [37:34] that if nothing comes with this, we can finally get the legislation right. There needs to be a clear [37:40] definition of what it means to meaningly confer with victims. I'm still not sure what that actually [37:48] means, but I know it never happened for me. There must be real consequences and penalties in the [37:55] statute that apply automatically when a court determines that a victim's rights have been [38:00] violated. The answer after years and years of litigation cannot be nothing happens when you [38:06] finally win and prove that your rights have been violated. If prosecutors choose to ignore victims, [38:13] those victims' voices must be put on the record, memorialized and preserved, especially when a deal is [38:21] made behind closed doors. There needs to be attorneys fees provisions so victims can find lawyers who will [38:28] stand up for them. If those changes had existed back then, maybe what had happened to me and so many others [38:35] would have not happened. My case against the government for violating the rights of at least 40 of us Palm [38:42] Beach kids was happening from 2008 to 2019. Do you know how many other girls Jeffrey abused in that time [38:51] period? I bet the FBI knows. But the point is that Epstein continued to abuse other girls in New York, [39:00] New Mexico, around the world, and even still here in Florida, well, after he was released in 2019, [39:07] or I'm sorry, in 2009, and everybody knew it. There were lawsuits, there were so many new articles, [39:13] he was a registered sex offender, and still nothing was done by the government. Not until 2019, [39:20] when he was finally arrested. None of the girls, none of those girls should have ever been abused. [39:26] Jeffrey Epstein should have been in jail. If he had been in jail like any other man who did the same [39:32] thing as him, he would have been, and there wouldn't have been a single victim after 2009. But he wasn't, [39:40] and he did. He abused so many girls after 2009, at the same exact time that I was asking the government [39:47] why he got the deal and why they violated my rights. That is the real injustice here. That is the real [39:57] thing we need to prevent from ever happening again in this country. I was there for his bail hearing in [40:05] 2019, and I spoke to the judge right in front of him about how dangerous he was. The bail was denied, [40:12] and for the first time, I thought we might finally get justice. A month later, he was dead. Once again, [40:19] the system failed us. Someone let him die in a secure prison, ensuring that he would never be held [40:25] accountable for what he did to me as a kid. Since then, there have been prosecutions, there have been [40:32] civil cases, there have been settlements, but none of that changes what was lost, and none of that fixes [40:39] what was allowed to happen in the first place. We fought for years to get Jeffrey Epstein arrested. [40:45] We fought to hold people accountable. We did not fight so that this could turn into something [40:52] political or so that our rights would be violated once again. I lost years of my life fighting this, [40:59] and so did many others. We did that so the next victim wouldn't have to. So don't let this work be in vain. [41:09] Make the Crime Victims Rights Act matter. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Ms. Wilde. [41:20] Ms. Jones, you are now recognized for your opening statement. Ranking member and members of Congress, [41:26] my name is Jenna Lisa Jones. I was 14 years old when I was abused by Jeffrey Epstein in Palm Beach. [41:32] It has taken me many years to find my voice. For a long time, I stayed silent because I was afraid, [41:39] and because I did not understand why this happened to me. When I finally came forward, I made a commitment [41:45] to use my voice responsibly. I'm here today to do exactly that. Last September, I went to Washington, [41:52] D.C. along the other survivors with a simple request, transparency and accountability. We asked you [42:00] to help us understand how Jeffrey Epstein was given a non-prosecution agreement, even though the [42:06] government had evidence that he had sexually abused dozens of children, including me. We asked how he [42:13] was allowed to leave jail in 2009 and continue harming young girls. We asked for answers, [42:20] answers that would hold our government accountable for its actions. We still do not have those answers. [42:27] Instead, what we received caused harm all over again, including too many of our survivor sisters [42:34] who had never come forward before and who never wanted their names or abuse to become public. [42:40] The Department of Justice released documents that exposed our names, our social security numbers, [42:46] and deeply personal information. Survivors' identities were made public. Husbands learned about their wives' [42:55] abuse for the first time. Children learned about the abuse of their mothers from reporters, [43:03] from strangers on the internet, and in some cases from other kids at school. Some survivors learned [43:14] that friends had also been abused only because they saw their names in those documents. Others saw the [43:26] most intimate details of their own trauma publicly exposed. Our privacy was violated. The government [43:36] promised us over and over again that our information would be protected. And [43:43] properly redacted. Those promises were broken again. We came to you seeking answers for why our [43:54] rights were violated in 2007. And in the process of asking for those answers, our rights were violated [44:01] again. I want to believe that each of you in this room is listening because you truly care. Not just about us, [44:09] but about every child in this country who survived sexual abuse. If Congress and the Department of Justice [44:18] truly want to do right by the survivors, the path forward is not complicated. Acknowledge the failures. [44:24] When Jeffrey Epstein was set free in 2009, and again when our privacy was shattered earlier this year, [44:30] take responsibility, and provide meaningful remedies to the women who have been harmed over and over again. [44:39] Please do not force us to relive this through more litigation. Pass a law requiring the Department of [44:46] Justice to compensate victims for the harm that they had caused by releasing the names and information. [44:51] That would show that this is truly about helping victims. Second, with respect to our ongoing investigations, [44:59] please remember this. Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is in prison. Do not pardon Maxwell. [45:10] If there are other men who hurt women, hold them accountable. But please leave the survivors alone. If you [45:18] subpoenaed someone to testify before your committees and she tells you she is a victim, listen to her. [45:24] Believe her. Respect her trauma. Jeffrey tried to paint his victims as bad guys. To avoid responsibility [45:34] for himself, please learn and understand that. Sharing our stories should be a choice. The choice I was [45:39] able to make today. It should never be something survivors are forced to do. The girls who were [45:45] groomed by Ghislaine Maxwell and abused by Jeffrey Epstein should not be treated like criminals. Please learn the [45:51] stories of the women who have been harmed before you force them to testify in a room full of strangers [45:56] about the worst moments of their lives. Jeffrey Epstein destroyed so many of our lives and Ghislaine [46:02] Maxwell helped him do it. Do not blame their survivors for the crimes of the abusers. That is not how the [46:08] story should end. Find a way to bring closure to the story of Jeffrey Epstein to allow survivors and this [46:13] country to finally begin to move forward so that one day, and I pray soon, Jeffrey Epstein's name is [46:20] no longer something we are forced to hear every single day. And my last point, I am not here today [46:27] only to talk about the past. I am here for the children who are sitting in the classroom today, [46:33] children who may be vulnerable, confused, and unsure of what is happening to them. When I was a teenager, [46:38] I did not have the language to understand what was happening to me. I did not know who to tell. I [46:43] did not know where to go. Many of us didn't. We were young and we were manipulated. We were left [46:49] without the tools or the support we needed. That is something Congress can change. Every middle school [46:55] and high school student in this country should receive education on the signs of sexual abuse and [47:03] exploitation. What it looks like, how to recognize it, and how to safely report it. Schools should have [47:10] trained adults accessible resources so that no child feels as lost or as alone as we did. I have [47:17] worked with other survivors to start a non-profit called the Survivors, Inc., because not everyone [47:22] who has been abused has access to strong legal representation, therapy, or support systems. I became [47:30] a certified life coach. I believe in giving others the support I wish I had. Though the survivors, [47:36] we were able to provide these services to people who have been abused so they can begin their healing [47:44] journey too. I'm proud of that work, but individual efforts are not enough. Real change requires leadership [47:50] at a national level. You have the power to make sure that happens to us does not happen again on this [47:56] scale. I believe one of the most important places to begin is in our schools. Train teachers, educate [48:03] students, give children a place to turn when they feel they have nowhere else to go. Together we can do [48:08] better for the next generation. Thank you so much. Ms. Benski, you are now recognized for your opening [48:22] statement. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, my name is Dani Benski. I was abused by Jeffrey Epstein in 2004 [48:32] and 2005. That was eight years after Maria Farmer first reported Jeffrey to the FBI. Although discussing [48:41] my abuse is far from easy, I live with diagnosed PTSD from that experience. My story is actually one of [48:49] the safest stories to tell. The key abuser who caused me physical harm is dead. It's imperative to understand [48:58] that the stories you are hearing today are a tiny fraction of the whole. I am one of more than 1200 [49:05] girls and women. I don't face the same level of threats of defamation lawsuits and serious risks to [49:11] my safety as some of my survivor sisters do. While there are co-conspirators who do need to be held [49:19] accountable for the parts that they played in the operation of my own abuse, I was trafficked only to [49:26] Jeffrey, which really, unfortunately, is not the case for so many others. I was groomed prior to [49:34] meeting Jeffrey. I grew up in the dance world where perfectionism, body image issues ran rampant in a [49:40] world that was built on hierarchy and secrecy. I would have my body criticized, critiqued, and manipulated, [49:50] not so different from what I initially experienced with Jeffrey. I was trafficked to Jeffrey. I had two [49:57] recruiters. One was a late teen and the other was only 15 years old, just trying to escape her own abuse. [50:05] Jeffrey weaponized my aspirations and dreams by speaking the language of dance and making false [50:11] promises. My mom had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. I had seen the name Epstein listed on a donor [50:18] wall and believed that his wealth and power had come from the medical profession. [50:23] I brought him her scans, hoping to understand her diagnosis. Instead of helping her, he used my [50:31] mother's brain scans over me, giving me an ultimatum, either recruit more girls or do more for him. I [50:39] didn't end up recruiting anyone and instead just endured the abuse. In May of 2005, my mother had a successful [50:48] operation at Mount Sinai to remove the tumor and I finally extricated myself from Jeffrey's web. [50:56] The Epstein case demonstrates that institutional systems have failed survivors time and time again. [51:04] I was first subpoenaed in 2008 for an interview. I was just 20 years old and without a victim's rights [51:11] advocate or a lawyer, I didn't know that I was entitled to those protections. [51:15] No one told me I was safe. And for many parts of my interview, it felt like an interrogation. [51:22] Jeffrey had already threatened my friend and he had told me that I would be charged with prostitution [51:29] if I ever interacted with law enforcement. He made it clear that he held the cards. [51:36] The passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act was a moment in which survivors hoped and believed that we might [51:43] see some reckoning. But the system, yet again, failed survivors. Before the first document dump by the DOJ, [51:55] my lawyer teamed up with another law firm representing survivors. Together, they submitted 350 victims' names [52:03] to the DOJ as names that needed to be redacted prior to the deadline on December 19th. In the first round of [52:13] documents, I saw my name in two places. Then in the January dump, there were more, and the reductions [52:19] were far, far worse. These files displayed my name, my phone number, my old address, where I worked at the [52:27] time, where I was studying, and other identifying information. What's important to understand is that these [52:35] documents weren't just somehow overlooked and not redacted at all. On one document, my nickname, Danny, [52:43] redacted, while Danielle Hanabensky is left completely unredacted. I am just one of the hundreds of survivors [52:51] exposed like this. A few weeks ago, a legal analyst reached out to share that, yet again, my name appeared [52:59] in a third batch of only 20 documents. After my lawyer continued to contact the DOJ on multiple occasions [53:07] for protection, my name and information remained attached. These documents hold disturbing and yet [53:16] incomplete accounts of my abuse, and they were viewable not only by the entire world, but my child, [53:24] my students, my students' parents, my friends, my employers, my colleagues, my family. I am public. [53:34] However, in my FBI 302, a Jane Doe who has never ever wanted to be revealed was exposed. This outing of [53:45] survivor names does real irrevocable damage. The passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act was meant to be a [53:55] moment when survivors could regain their power and finally obtain the truth. It was a time for our [54:02] institutions, created to protect the American people, to for once stand on the side of survivors. As survivors, we have [54:11] said time and time again, this is not political. This requires coming together and prioritizing, [54:19] prioritizing coming together, not political showmanship. I'm always asked, what does accountability [54:27] look like? Accountability means removing perpetrators from power, seeing arrests be made, and legislators pass [54:36] laws like protecting victims' rights like Virginia's law, which would remove the statute of limitations [54:43] for victims' civil claims against their abusers. Our entrenched systemic failures have allowed [54:49] powerful people like Jeffrey to thrive. When institutions prioritize protecting the powerful [54:56] and their enablers over protecting victims, abuse becomes normalized. [55:02] If we continue down this path, the question isn't whether abuse will happen again, but who will be [55:10] the next Jeffrey Epstein. This moment is critical. It is time to reform our system, [55:18] to protect our survivors, not the perpetrators, and to ensure the truth can come to light. Thank you. [55:26] Thank you so much. Thank you. Ms. Rosa, you are now recognized for your opening statement. [55:40] In 2008, I just turned 18, when I met MC Square model management owner named Jean-Luc Brunel. Coming [55:49] from a financial and stable background, I was the perfect target for Co-Origin. I was promised [55:55] modeling career beyond my dreams. In less than six months, MC Square obtained an O-1 visa for me. [56:02] A feat nearly impossible for a teenager with almost no experience. I did not have the documentation to [56:09] earn that visa. By May of 2009, I was in New York City. I was isolated, controlled in a manner I've [56:15] never experienced before. Within three months, the agency claimed I owed them over $10,000. I had no [56:23] family, no friends, or no money. MC Square controlled every aspect of my life, where I went, how I dressed, [56:30] and how I looked. They provided me enough of allowance to keep me afloat, but never enough to be [56:35] independent. Less than a month after I arrived to the United States, my agency sent me to a home of a [56:42] registered sex offender. I was introduced to his girlfriend under the disguise that she was a [56:49] photographer who helped me build my portfolio. Now I know that Jeffrey Epstein was supposed to be in jail [56:55] jail cell in June of 2008. I met him at his house right here in West Palm Beach. He was not in a jail. [57:05] Jean-Luc Brunel brought me to West Palm Beach to have dinner with Epstein in July. Epstein used the names [57:11] of powerful politicians to demonstrate his influence. He told me he's an investor of the very agency that [57:18] promised me a career. He also spoke of his arrest that it was a game, bragging about girls visiting his [57:25] cell and his friendships with authorities. Jeffrey offered me a position at the Florida Science [57:34] Foundation to handle phone calls to help me with my financial troubles. One day, his masseuse called [57:42] me into his room where I was molested for the first time by Jeffrey. For the following three years, [57:51] I was subject to ongoing rape. Jeffrey Epstein was under house arrest for the molestation of underage [58:04] girls at the exact time he was abusing me. Seeing that the fact that he could commit those acts made [58:19] justice feel impossible to me and it took my ability to seek for help. I was summoned to his residence [58:30] right here in West Palm Beach. My agency relocated me to Miami to keep me closer and only after he was [58:38] released from the house arrest I was allowed to go back to New York City where my nightmares continued. [58:45] Those years of abuse turned into a decade of fear that I still carry today. I eventually found the [58:51] courage to reach out for help. I stepped forward along other survivors hoping those who allow this [59:00] to happen will be held accountable. I kept my identity protected as Jin Doe. I woke up one day with my name [59:09] mentioned over 500 times. While rich and powerful remained protected by reduction, my name was exposed to [59:24] the world. Now reporters across the globe contact me. I cannot live without looking over my shoulder. [59:31] I can only imagine the long-term impact this mistake will have on my life. I wanted to be a doctor when I was a [59:43] kid. So I want to end this statement with a story. In 1800, the doctor named Ignace Semmelweis discovered [59:54] something life-saving. He realized that the doctors who were performing autopsies and then immediately [1:00:00] delivering babies without washing their hands were carrying cadaverous particles causing women die in [1:00:08] agony. He had evidence. He had solution. He begged the medical establishment to wash their hands to save [1:00:17] lives. But the doctors were offended. They found it easier to protect their own reputation and maintain [1:00:25] the status quo than to admit they were the ones causing harms. They chose their pride over the life of [1:00:32] women and Dr. Semmelweis was ignored, ridiculed and eventually cast out. I see the same patterns [1:00:39] happening today with handling of these files. Releasing my name while redacting the name of other powerful [1:00:48] is not a mistake. It's a choice. It's a choice to prioritize the comfort of institution over the safety [1:00:54] of the survivors. The evidence is right here. Yet those in power rather us die socially, emotionally and [1:01:03] physically. Then admit their own complicity. I am no longer a Jane Doe, hating in the files. I'm a woman. [1:01:13] I'm a fighter and I'm a witness. And I'm begging you, please wash your hands. Thank you, Ms. Rose. [1:01:43] Obviously, I think one of the true horrors of this investigation has been the way so many survivors [1:01:51] continue to be traumatized. And I think this is one just really horrific example of how even through the [1:01:59] Transparency Act, so much horror and re-traumatization continues to happen. So thank you for the [1:02:08] testimony. Mr. Kuvin, I'm going to recognize you for your opening statement. Thank you. [1:02:16] I'm truly moved by her strength. Ranking member members of Congress. My name is Spencer Kuvin. I've [1:02:30] represented numerous survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking over the years, [1:02:35] including the first victim to come forward in the Epstein investigation here in Palm Beach. I'm here [1:02:43] today because what happened during the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein was not simply a failure of judgment. [1:02:50] It was a systemic failure of justice. In Palm Beach County, credible evidence of widespread sexual [1:02:58] abuse involving minors was presented to state prosecutors, including my client. Law enforcement [1:03:05] initially identified dozens of victims. The conduct was organized, repeated, and devastating. Yet instead [1:03:13] of a prosecution that matched the scale of the harm, what followed was a secret agreement, as we know, [1:03:19] that minimized the abuse and insulted the children that had been abused. Despite the efforts of some of [1:03:26] the federal agents at the time, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District decided to have [1:03:32] these secret meetings with Epstein's attorneys. The U.S. Department of Justice, in conjunction with the [1:03:37] Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office at the time, colluded in secret to quietly shelve this case with [1:03:44] minimal state charges that branded a 15- and 16-year-old child victim as prostitutes. They gave a sweetheart [1:03:54] deal to Jeffrey Epstein and four named as well as unnamed co-conspirators. The Southern District U.S. [1:04:02] Attorney at the time, Alex Acosta, spearheaded what every attorney advocate saw as the worst [1:04:10] non-prosecution agreement ever executed by a U.S. Attorney. This sent a message. It told victims that [1:04:18] even when the evidence is strong, accountability is negotiable if you are rich and powerful. This [1:04:26] awful non-prosecution agreement completely shut down further federal charges for the events they [1:04:31] were investigating here in Florida. As I mentioned, that tragic deal was negotiated and signed in [1:04:37] secret. Not only was it kept secret from the world, it was kept secret from me. Calls were made [1:04:44] repeatedly to the U.S. attorneys investigating this at the time by myself, an advocate for multiple [1:04:50] victims at the time. And of course, it was kept secret from those victims. I was forced to file [1:04:56] motions with the court to compel its ultimate disclosure even after it had been executed. And finally, [1:05:02] after obtaining court orders, they turned it over to us. A full year after it had been signed, [1:05:11] the victims were not consulted. Their advocates like me were not consulted. Victims were never given [1:05:19] an opportunity to be heard. This was not just a moral failure. We believed it was a violation of law [1:05:26] under the Crime Victims Rights Act. Originally passed in 2004, subsequently amended by Congress in 06, [1:05:34] 08, and 15. Victims have had the right to confer with prosecutors and the right to be treated with [1:05:39] fairness and respect. Yet those rights were ignored at the very moment that it mattered most, [1:05:46] when decisions were being made that would determine whether justice would ever be pursued. The result [1:05:53] was predictable. Survivors, as you've heard, were re-traumatized, not only by the abuse they endured, [1:06:00] but by a system that excluded them from the process designed specifically to protect them. And the [1:06:07] public was left questioning whether justice can be trusted when powerful interests are involved. [1:06:14] This failure by the Department of Justice at the time was a subject of litigation brought, [1:06:18] as you heard, by Ms. Wilde. That case ultimately exposed a gap in the law, one that must be closed [1:06:27] by you. Today, I want to offer that clear path forward. First, Congress should amend the Crime [1:06:34] Victims Rights Act to make it explicit that victims must be notified and given a meaningful opportunity to [1:06:40] confer before any non-prosecution agreement or deferred prosecution agreement is finalized. Second, [1:06:48] as you've heard, there must be enforceable remedies, not just suggestions. Victims should have standing to [1:06:57] challenge agreements reached in violation of the act and courts must have the authority to review and, [1:07:02] where appropriate, void those agreements. Third, transparency must be the rule, not the exception. Secret [1:07:13] agreements that extinguish criminal liability, particularly in cases involving multiple victims, should not [1:07:20] exist in our system of justice. And finally, there must be accountability. When prosecutors fail to [1:07:26] uphold victims' rights, there must be consequences sufficient to ensure that those failures are not [1:07:32] repeated. This is not about relitigating the past. It's about ensuring what happened here never [1:07:38] happens again. The survivors in this case have showed extraordinary courage coming here today. They [1:07:45] told the truth and they trusted the system, and the system failed them. Congress now has the opportunity, [1:07:52] and I would suggest the responsibility to fix it. Thank you. We look forward to your questions. [1:07:59] Thank you. Thank you very much. I'd like to go to Ms. Hirsch, please, who's now recognized for her [1:08:07] opening statement. Thank you so much, [1:08:09] ranking member, members of Congress. I'm Lauren Hirsch, the CEO of World Without Exploitation, [1:08:14] the largest anti-trafficking coalition in the country. We have nearly 200 member organizations across [1:08:20] the country. Many of those organizations are survivor led. It is an absolute honor to sit beside each one [1:08:28] of you. You are the reason this moment of reckoning is happening. What we have witnessed in the handling of [1:08:37] the Epstein case is not simply a bureaucratic misstep. It is a deeply horrific failure to protect the very [1:08:45] people the system is meant to serve. Survivors have repeatedly been promised dignity, confidentiality, [1:08:54] and care. And instead, we have seen a systemic breakdown in their protection at nearly every step of the [1:09:03] way. We have watched those with power and privilege manipulate the system, shielding themselves from [1:09:09] accountability, while survivors have suffered in silence. Every one of these failures sends a [1:09:16] devastating message, not only to Epstein survivors, but to survivors everywhere. That accountability is [1:09:24] optional for the powerful. Survivors have had enough. And frankly, the American public has had enough of [1:09:32] this too. We are now in a moment of reckoning that requires a thorough examination of all of the things [1:09:39] that have gone horribly wrong. But it also requires a serious course correction. Survivors have been [1:09:47] repeatedly harmed, first by Epstein and his associates, and then by law enforcement who refused to bring adequate [1:09:54] cases, who didn't notify victims when secret sweetheart deals were made, who allowed abuse to continue even [1:10:00] after pleas were entered in. And then they were again abused by the DOJ. When the federal government fails to [1:10:09] protect, provide protection under the Crime Victims Rights Act, survivors cannot be left without [1:10:15] remedy. We need a legislative fix immediately to provide compensation and recourse for violations of [1:10:23] the Crime Victims Rights Act. And this is urgent. I think everyone in the room has heard the survivors and [1:10:31] understands the profound harm caused by the DOJ in releasing hundreds of names of survivors and their personal [1:10:39] criminal information in the aftermath of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. So I'll keep this part brief. As a former [1:10:46] prosecutor, I understand that mistakes happen. We're human. But when hundreds of names are released repeatedly, including [1:10:55] nude photos of a survivor, this can no longer be dismissed as human error. Something has gone horribly wrong inside the DOJ, and the [1:11:05] American public deserves clear answers about how this failure has occurred. This requires a recorded [1:11:14] deposition of Pam Bondi on May 29th, not a transcribed interview. Survivors also deserve meaningful [1:11:29] legislative recourse, including a private right of action so that they can be compensated for the exposure of [1:11:37] their private information to the public. Accountability cannot end with an examination of process failures or [1:11:46] even legislative fixes. These files demand further examination. Assertions that there are no credible [1:11:56] investigative leads are deeply concerning. From my perspective, both as the CEO of WorldWe and a former [1:12:04] prosecutor, that conclusion is not only premature, it is inconsistent with the available record. There [1:12:13] there is an abundance of potential investigative leads that warrant serious independent review. For three [1:12:21] decades, countless men operated with complete impunity. Sex trafficking does not happen in a vacuum. It is [1:12:28] driven by the demand for commercial sex, and it is enabled by systems and people who are willing to look the other way. [1:12:37] That is exactly what we're looking at here. Likely the largest sex trafficking operation the United States [1:12:44] has ever seen. The files are clear, and the files name names. When individuals and institutions surface [1:12:55] repeatedly in the files, it's a pretty strong indicator that there's some there there. When there are millions [1:13:03] and millions of dollars flowing between an individual and Epstein, and there doesn't seem to be a business [1:13:09] relationship, but instead allegations of sexual abuse, that's not noise to ignore. That is an investigative [1:13:17] lead. And this is just one of many examples. And the examples are not just limited to individuals. [1:13:26] Major hospitals took money from Epstein and provided questionable care. And that's putting it nicely. [1:13:35] Hospital systems, academic institutions, modeling agencies, and the list goes on. They all require [1:13:43] careful independent examination of investigative leads. The burden should not fall on the survivors to name [1:13:52] names or drive investigations. Survivors should be given safe, voluntary spaces to speak, but they should [1:14:00] not be compelled. The responsibility lies with investigative bodies, prosecutors, the DOJ, on relevant [1:14:08] authorities to do their jobs thoroughly, transparently, and with integrity. Survivors have already carried [1:14:18] far too much of the burden. They should not have to carry the failures of our institutions as well. What is needed [1:14:25] now is not defensiveness, but accountability. And finally, for survivors and for world without exploitation, [1:14:35] this is not and has never been political. I'm sure that it will be twisted into us entering the political [1:14:44] fray by being here today. But we have been absolutely clear. We will and have worked with anyone who is serious [1:14:55] about getting to the truth. The era of silence and inaction must end here. Thank you. [1:15:10] Thank you. Obviously, just thank you to all of our witnesses for those opening statements. We're going to be moving on to [1:15:17] questions and and some comments from the members of this committee. I do want to uplift and recognize particularly the survivors and your [1:15:25] courage again and how we got to this moment. I want to start just by again, just commenting that we're here [1:15:34] because of the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and numerous others and the failure caused by our [1:15:41] own government. And I want to in in my line of questioning, I just want to hone down on one thing which I think is really [1:15:50] important. Last July, the administration's FBI and DOJ released a two page document saying and I and I quote, [1:16:01] we did not uncover evidence that could predicate investigation against uncharged third parties. [1:16:11] In other words, the current administration through its DOJ believe that this investigation was over, [1:16:22] that no one else could be investigated for perhaps the worst sex trafficking ring in American history, that no other [1:16:31] person could be held accountable or there could be further convictions of the horrors made and against 1200 women and [1:16:42] girls. Now, we here and some of our colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle have worked together to file motions, to [1:16:55] file laws and to push this investigation forward. And I want to be very clear, the DOJ, this administration, [1:17:06] the president and the attorney general made it clear that this investigation in their opinion was a hoax, [1:17:13] was a lie and there was nothing else to do or to move forward. The DOJ tried to close this case. Through our [1:17:24] investigation, we have learned that many of the witnesses that we have been going through to deposition, [1:17:32] through transcribed interviews were never questioned by law enforcement. And this is something that we [1:17:39] learned only by forcing these interviews and by sitting asking these questions. How could Les Wexner have [1:17:49] never been interviewed by our own government who was the source of most of Jeffrey Epstein's wealth and was [1:17:58] never questioned? How can some of the folks on this document the FBI had in their possession not ever have [1:18:08] been questioned by our own government or law enforcement? How could Darren Indyke and Richard Khan, [1:18:16] who you can see in this chart and were essentially the brain trust of Jeffrey Epstein's organization? [1:18:24] How could they never have been questioned? That is not a mistake. That is a cover-up. And what I think [1:18:37] we want to make very clear is this is not just about the mistakes and the ongoing harm of the Trump [1:18:44] administration. This has been harm posed by numerous administrations led by both Republicans and Democrats. [1:18:54] And when folks come and ask, well, why wasn't the former administration Attorney General Garland more [1:19:00] engaged on this issue? I asked the same question. Why wasn't Merrick Garland more engaged and focused on [1:19:07] prosecutions and more focused on getting out the truth? This is not just about partisan politics. [1:19:16] This is a continued pattern of abuse and not seeking justice. But we're here now at this moment in [1:19:28] this Congress with this administration and this cover-up must end. I want to briefly ask the survivors [1:19:38] if you believe that this investigation should continue, if your government should continue this [1:19:44] investigation. Ms. Spensky? Yes. Rosa? Absolutely, yes. Ms. Wild? Yes. Ms. Jones? Yes. Thank you. And we agree. It's [1:20:00] unacceptable that folks have been not questioned, that there haven't been criminal prosecutions, and that our [1:20:09] own former Attorney General continues to be engaged in this cover-up. They want to end this investigation. But what we are [1:20:19] saying today is we need to come together with our bipartisan allies on the other side, and especially [1:20:26] some Republican women who have stood and continue to push for truth and justice. We welcome their support [1:20:34] in this investigation. At a hearing back in March, former Attorney General Bondi told one of my colleagues, [1:20:41] quote, I'm stunned that you want to continue talking about Epstein. That was her quote. Ms. Spensky, [1:20:52] you were there. So was Skye Roberts on behalf of Virginia. Attorney General Bondi didn't spend one minute [1:20:59] talking to you, but instead wanted to end the Epstein investigation. Today we're here to tell the former [1:21:06] Attorney General that we are demanding that she come in for her date with the subpoena, that she testify [1:21:13] under oath, and that it's videotaped and released to the American public, and the survivors deserve [1:21:20] nothing less. And I want to again ask the survivors. We know that approximately 2.5 million documents are [1:21:36] still hidden. And we also understand that anything that's released in the future needs to be redacted [1:21:42] with care and properly. Do you all support this Congress in the continued release of the files [1:21:53] if redactions are done properly and with care? Ms. Spensky? Of course, yeah. Rosa? Yes. Ms. Wild? Yes. [1:22:02] Ms. Jones? Yes. Thank you. I think it's important for the Attorney General, for Mr. Blanche, [1:22:09] and for others to hear directly that the survivors don't think this is a hoax or that the investigation [1:22:15] is over. Everyone in this room is committed to making the truth and justice a part of our legislative work. [1:22:25] We have to pass laws and do the right thing. What we're facing right now is a systemic, [1:22:34] a systemic government agencies and administration that's trying to end this work. And we have to push [1:22:43] back on it. We have sworn testimony. We've seen emails from the Epstein estate, from many others, [1:22:55] even about the relationship and the friendship between the current president and Jeffrey Epstein. [1:23:01] We continue to demand that the president force his DOJ to do the right thing by their survivors [1:23:12] and to ensure that we get truth and justice. We're just a few miles away from Mar-a-Lago, where we know [1:23:20] Ghislaine recruited and harmed and abused women, where Virginia herself was recruited. And we also know that [1:23:29] the president or his residence is just a few miles from here is the one man in America that has the [1:23:35] power to do the right thing and force the DOJ to release the files, protect the survivors, and demand [1:23:45] and ensure that the American public get the truth. And that's why we're here today. And with that, [1:23:50] I yield. And I want to turn it over to Representative Christian Morphy. Thank you. [1:23:59] Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member. Thank you to all the witnesses. Thank you for your bravery, [1:24:05] your conviction, and your determination. Today, I want to ask you first about Ghislaine Maxwell. [1:24:12] Ms. Wilde, in a written victim impact statement that was filed in court, you said that the abuse you [1:24:18] suffered was, quote, deliberate and systematic, designed by Epstein and facilitated by his staff and [1:24:23] associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell, correct? I don't, I don't, I never, I don't think that's my, [1:24:30] I never had any relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell. Can you repeat that? [1:24:34] Mr. In a victim impact statement in Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 versus the United States? [1:24:40] Oh, yes. Yes. I'm against the, I'm sorry. I've never met Ghislaine Maxwell, but yes, that's what [1:24:47] the other Jane Doe had. Ms. Benski, at Maxwell's trial, [1:24:52] survivors testified that Maxwell participated in the sexual abuse of girls. Maxwell recruited victims [1:25:00] for Epstein, including at schools, and that Maxwell once told a 14-year-old girl that she, quote, [1:25:08] had a great body for Epstein and his friends. Isn't that what was testified to? Yeah, I also, [1:25:14] my experience was not with, with Maxwell, but I am sure that that is true. [1:25:18] Ms. Jones, after Maxwell was found guilty of unconscionable acts, Politico reported that [1:25:27] Maxwell's lawyer, this guy right here, said that there's a good chance and for good reason that [1:25:34] Maxwell would get a pardon. You have publicly stated that, quote, [1:25:39] clemency would be a slap in the face to all survivors, right? I agree with that wholeheartedly. [1:25:44] I think everyone on this panel agrees probably. Maxwell hasn't shown any guilt, hasn't shown any [1:25:51] remorse, hasn't shown any ounce of accountability for what she did. I've introduced the House [1:25:58] resolution condemning clemency for Maxwell. I hope everyone here will join me because we have to do [1:26:03] everything in our power to block a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms. Hirsch, I want to turn to [1:26:15] another topic, following the money. You're aware of Epstein-related financial records called suspicious [1:26:20] activity reports, SARS reports, that have not been produced, correct? Yeah. And just to level set, [1:26:26] a suspicious activity report is a report produced by a bank anytime a customer performs a questionable [1:26:33] transaction. It turns out there were numerous such reports filed by banks with the Treasury Department [1:26:40] for Jeffrey Epstein, including large cash withdrawals and even requests that Epstein made [1:26:45] for the creation of bank accounts and credit cards for teenagers and people who had nothing to do with his [1:26:53] family. Isn't that right? It is. The Senate Finance Committee has found Epstein made wire transfers that are [1:27:00] detailed in these suspicious activity reports, SARS reports, to the tune of 1.5 billion dollars with [1:27:07] a B and include the names of women and girls he may have trafficked as well as the names of his potential [1:27:14] clients. I believe that this is paramount to the investigation of the sex trafficking ring. Would you [1:27:19] agree with that? I do agree with that. If we're serious, if we're serious about following the money, [1:27:25] I believe that these SARS reports must be disclosed by the U.S. Treasury Department now, immediately [1:27:32] today. Last topic. Last topic, Ms. Hirsch. Can you give me this? These one, two, three, four, five, [1:27:48] six people, they must be disclosed today. What do you think about that? I absolutely agree with you. [1:27:54] They may be among us today. Wow. Perpetrating a continuation of a sex trafficking ring. [1:28:01] Now, Mr. Coven, DOJ has not released all of the raw interviews and transcripts from the more [1:28:07] more than 40 victims of the DOJs that were investigated in the DOJ's 2008 investigation, [1:28:13] right? Correct. And DOJ has not released all of the video footage collected at Epstein's properties, [1:28:20] correct? Absolutely. Not only that, I've actually walked through the home of Jeffrey Epstein after [1:28:27] the incidents occurred and saw where the video cameras were located and no longer existed. [1:28:35] Epstein tried to maintain his power over those he abused by taking away [1:28:39] their chance at justice. We cannot let that happen. Donald Trump, I'm calling on you to listen to [1:28:45] survivors. Release all of the documents. Unredact all these people. Prosecute the rest of these people [1:28:52] and investigate the remaining. In addition, Ghislaine Maxwell should never, ever, ever receive [1:28:59] clemency. That monster should not be given pardon and ensure every enabler of Epstein faces consequences, [1:29:06] no matter who they are or their political affiliation. Thank you. And I yield back. [1:29:11] Thank you. Now we'll have Representative Stansbury. All right. Well, good morning, everyone. And I just want [1:29:22] to start out by acknowledging our survivors who are here with us. And to those of you who spoke, [1:29:29] people tell you all the time that you're brave and you are. But I know that it comes at great cost to [1:29:37] yourself, great cost to your families. But I want you to know, and part of why I asked the staff to hold [1:29:43] up this picture is because you are literally changing the face of the planet by standing up and telling your [1:29:50] stories. And even though the system is failing you again right now in Congress, you are changing the world [1:29:57] by helping people who are survivors, who are victims, who have never had their stories told publicly, [1:30:04] to know that they're not alone. So I want to say thank you for everything that you are doing. [1:30:10] And I know that it's hard. But what you're doing is changing the planet right now. So thank you for [1:30:17] holding that up. I came, I got in early yesterday. And I went for a walk. I walked to downtown here in [1:30:29] West Palm Beach. And then I walked across the bridge. I think like millions of people across the country, [1:30:37] I've seen, of course, the documentary that documents what happened here in West Palm Beach. And I wanted to walk [1:30:44] across the bridge that survivors had told the story themselves of literally having been driven across. But I don't [1:30:52] think that I truly understood the power, the wealth, the abuse that has happened in this community until [1:31:02] I saw the mansions and the estates, the private clubs, and how inequality is literally written into the [1:31:12] landscape here. And the reason why I wanted to start there is because there has been a lot said about the [1:31:21] system of abuse that Epstein and Maxwell perpetrated. There has been a lot said about how grooming occurred, [1:31:29] how recruitment happened, and how he psychologically threatened, abused, and used all these different [1:31:36] tactics to abuse girls and women. But I want to make one thing clear here today, and I want to ask some questions [1:31:44] about this, is we talk about the system failing. The system didn't fail. The system was designed to [1:31:51] protect the wealthy. The system was rigged from the beginning when those mansions were built. The [1:31:58] system was built on inequality. The system was built on exploiting people. It's written into the landscape [1:32:07] here in West Palm Beach. It's written into the landscape in New Mexico, where Jeffrey Epstein went to [1:32:15] Santa Fe with his rich friends and recruited girls that he exploited and then trafficked to other rich [1:32:21] friends that he flew to New Mexico. This wasn't failure. This was a system. It was a system of exploitation. [1:32:30] It was a system of abuse. And it was a system of power. And that's one of the things that I want to [1:32:37] really dive into here with my short time today. Because the officials, the federal, the state, the local, [1:32:46] the attorney generals didn't just fail to investigate these cases. They chose not to investigate them. [1:32:53] They chose to take bribes and kickbacks and campaign donations. The police department here in West Palm Beach [1:33:02] chose to take a donation from Jeffrey Epstein. The police and sheriffs and others in other cities and states [1:33:10] chose to take donations. And right now, while this is not a partisan issue, this administration is choosing [1:33:22] to not investigate the crimes that are in these files. This administration is choosing to release the [1:33:30] names of survivors and not perpetrators. This administration is choosing to not investigate or [1:33:38] indict a single man who committed rape of a child or woman that is in the files. And this administration [1:33:46] is choosing to gaslight the American people while all over the world, foreign officials are arresting, [1:33:56] investigating. A prince has been taken down. And here in the United States, our Department of Justice, [1:34:03] which is sitting on millions of files, is refusing to act. That is not a failure. That is a [1:34:11] choice. That is a system built on wealth inequality and exploitation of women, of girls, of children, [1:34:20] and a system built to protect the powerful. That is a system. And it is a system that Jeffrey Epstein [1:34:28] developed here in West Palm Beach. And then it is a system that he he exported to places like the Virgin [1:34:35] Islands to New Mexico and to all of the places that he operated. And so I want us to think about as we're [1:34:46] moving forward with this investigation, we can investigate all the hundreds or even thousands [1:34:53] of micro decisions that were made by local police, by sheriffs, by state police, by the Department of [1:35:01] Justice, by AGs who chose to turn a blind eye and not prosecute these crimes. But the only way we are [1:35:08] actually going to get justice in this case is by changing the system itself. And that's exactly what [1:35:14] you guys are doing. And it's powerful. You're literally taking on the entire world right now, [1:35:21] and a system of wealth and inequality. So I want to ask the survivors, because I feel like you get asked [1:35:30] all the time to retell your stories. And I've read your stories. Anyone can go in the files and read [1:35:36] your stories. But I want to hear from you what justice would look like in this case. So maybe starting [1:35:43] here in the end. It's always a sore, sore subject, because I'm just like, at this point, honestly, [1:35:52] I don't think justice will ever be served in this case. And that's just my experience of the past 20 [1:36:01] years that I've dealt with it. If I were really optimistic, and it did, I think it would be, [1:36:09] for one, the Crime Victims Rights Act, we have to fix that law. Also, education in the school systems, [1:36:20] maybe like with the sex ed, or just there has to be more education on what grooming is on what sex [1:36:27] trafficking is. It's not, you know, I think a lot of people have a picture in their head [1:36:32] that is just not reality. And for me, being that this happened in Palm Beach County, I think there [1:36:42] needs to be like a building. And I think that the the first 72 hours that a survivor tells their story [1:36:50] and comes forward and says, Okay, I'm ready. I'm ready to tell this. And there, it's such a crucial time. [1:36:59] I think there needs to be something dedicated in Palm Beach County to [1:37:03] all of our childhoods that were lost and taken. You know, when we came forward, and we told our [1:37:09] stories, man, I was treated like a criminal from the by the federal government. And I just think I [1:37:17] guess justice would be change. I don't know what justice looks like anymore. It's I'm just blown away [1:37:33] that this is our government that is handling this. But justice would be like Courtney said, [1:37:41] accountability. These people that did wrong should be held accountable for what they did to us. Of [1:37:49] course, we know that. But do we think do I think that is going to truly happen? Probably not. Look at [1:37:55] how this has gone on. But education is so very important. Our kids are listening. They're watching [1:38:03] this. They're hearing. And for the first time for a lot of children, this is the first time they are [1:38:08] even hearing about something like this. And so education is important. If we can't take these bad [1:38:14] guys off the streets, let's teach our kids how to protect themselves in this. And so but I hope [1:38:20] the government gets it together. Maybe get some justice. I think justice starts with passing [1:38:28] Virginia's law. I think that's a really great place to start. Because justice shouldn't have a time [1:38:34] limit, right? I know at almost 40, like I'm about to turn 40 this year. And I'm just able to look at [1:38:42] my abuse. I'm just able to sit and write it and read it. And so I think there are a lot of survivors [1:38:48] who have never come forward. So that would be a start passing Virginia's law, changing the statute [1:38:53] of limitations. There's a culture shift that really needs to happen, where the blame needs to be placed [1:39:00] on the perpetrator and not on the victim. Similar to Courtney's experience, my experience with law [1:39:05] enforcement, I was so terrified. And I did feel like I was being interrogated the entire time that I was [1:39:11] there. I thought that I was going to go to jail that day. I was like, my life is over. It didn't [1:39:16] really make me want to talk to anybody. But the FBI came back to my home in 2019. Anyway, I'll have to [1:39:23] say it was very threatening feeling. So having an advocate in those spaces would also be really [1:39:29] important. But yeah, just elevating survivor rights and making sure that we start with that baseline of [1:39:35] Virginia's law. So I come from a different country. And I have a job. And if you come to me and you ask me, [1:39:48] what should I do and ask question about my job, I'll give you an answer. I appreciate you asking that [1:39:54] question. But I don't know that's your job. You guys have to figure out how to make justice, not me. And [1:40:03] you can't give me justice. Like this, when I came to this country, I thought something is going to be [1:40:18] different. And I am shocked that this is happening here in the United States. You keep on saying this [1:40:26] is the worst case in the United States, but it's not. It's the worst case in the world. This never [1:40:32] happened to me in other places. And I traveled as a model all over the world. This didn't happen to [1:40:39] me there. It happened to me here. You need to figure it out. And I hope you do. And I hope this [1:40:46] never happens again to any anybody. Keep it in the history books. Don't stop fighting. Don't let it [1:40:53] go away. I don't I wish one day we all can sit there and never hear the name. But I also hope that [1:41:01] we will forever. So this never happens again. Good luck. Mr. Chairman, I think that says it all. [1:41:14] It's our job. So thank you. Thank you so much. Representative Frost. Thank you so much. [1:41:23] I want to talk about something very specific. As we know, Jeffrey Epstein trafficked and abused [1:41:27] women and girls, not just in Florida, New York, but internationally across the globe. This case [1:41:33] shines a light on the truth of sex trafficking. And it informs us as members of Congress of the changes [1:41:39] and the reforms we need to pursue in many different areas that sometimes seem different, but are all [1:41:44] connected. I want to first thank you all for coming here today, especially the survivors and sharing [1:41:49] your stories. In many instances, we have seen that traffickers and sexual predators control [1:41:54] employment opportunities for the people that they abuse. This happens everywhere from working [1:41:59] communities to the wealthiest in the most powerful pockets of society. Right here, this is from documents [1:42:05] produced to the committee. It appears to show copies of passports in Epstein's possession belonging to young [1:42:11] women. We believe many of these are survivors. Epstein's network is bigger than what many people [1:42:17] understand. It's stretched across the entire globe. And we know that Epstein did not act alone. Him and [1:42:23] his associates exploited financial and immigration systems, broken immigration systems to traffic women [1:42:30] and girls. Epstein helped women enroll in English language schools, facilitated their admission into [1:42:37] American universities to help them get visas and help them secure jobs, all as a premise to get for [1:42:44] getting the women into the United States. We questioned Epstein's lawyer about this and his accountant [1:42:50] about the sham marriages, which they helped arrange for immigration purposes. And many of these women, [1:42:55] sadly, became survivors of Epstein's abuse. Thank you. Rosa, thank you so much for your very powerful [1:43:03] testimony. Why did you come to the United States? You spoke a little bit about this. I was a model. I came [1:43:13] here thinking that my modeling career is going to be continued here. I traveled before the United States [1:43:23] and I was very successful. When I was able to escape the ring of Jeffrey Epstein, I was a successful model [1:43:30] afterwards, but only after. During it, I couldn't. So you came for opportunity? Yes. And we told you, [1:43:42] right? We told the entire world, we've told the entire world, come to the United States for opportunity. [1:43:47] This is a land of opportunity where you can be anyone where you can do anything, right? Yes. New York City was [1:43:53] a top of a list for any model traveling and getting a contract. Rosa, can you help us understand how Epstein, [1:44:02] Brunel and their associates use the promises of modeling jobs to recruit you and other women? [1:44:12] When you enter modeling, you have a dream of ending up and walking a Victoria's Secret show [1:44:20] or on a cover of Vogue magazines. So when you're a teenager and somebody approaches you saying that [1:44:26] they can be there to help you and be your word ally, I hate that word really, because that was used [1:44:35] many, many times in trying to make me believe that they are my ally in order to get those jobs. So [1:44:45] naturally, it comes across like these people care and you believe them. Why? Because you were just a [1:44:53] teenager. It doesn't look really scary to begin with. So they gain your trust and then they put you in [1:45:02] a situation where financially you can't leave. The ticket back home cost $1,300 round trip. I was [1:45:12] giving $100 a week in New York City to survive. And if any of you go to New York City today and try to [1:45:21] live over $100, good luck. [1:45:25] So, Rosa, we also know that you're an immigrant and we know that Epstein and his network also [1:45:30] manipulated and threatened women using their visas or immigration status. Can you talk about your [1:45:37] experience with this? [1:45:38] Every time I came to my agency or Epstein, which I didn't know why I came to him, I begged them to let me [1:45:46] go back to other places I used to model before, on which they said, why? You're not going to do well [1:45:57] there. So stay here. What do you need? I would say job. And then they offered me job. They didn't give me [1:46:09] money to purchase a ticket and I didn't have a credit card. I didn't have my parents sending me money. I [1:46:14] couldn't afford to take it back. So they used my dreams against me saying that it's just the time [1:46:22] and everything's going to be okay. And if I trust them, all my dreams are going to come true. [1:46:29] We know that he weaponized people's immigration status, right? And the fact that they were immigrants [1:46:35] against them to manipulate them, to force them into his horrible crimes and the horrible things he did [1:46:41] to them. There are so many changes that need to come from this investigation. And I think [1:46:46] it's important that we also remember immigrant women are disproportionately impacted by sex [1:46:51] trafficking in the United States. Epstein exploited this broken immigration system to do these crimes. [1:46:58] And I think your story and your testimony shows that and many of the other stories and testimonies [1:47:02] that we've heard. This investigation shows us that we have to fix this system, not just demonize [1:47:07] immigrants. And in a moment where the same people that are obstructing this investigation, the same people [1:47:13] who are engaged in the coverup of this investigation are also the one demonizing immigrants across this [1:47:18] country, shows us the real truth that if we spent a modicum of the money and energy that this government [1:47:24] is using to go terrorize our communities and round up innocent people to go after the billionaire pedophiles [1:47:30] and sex traffickers and people who have exploited this broken immigration system, maybe we'd have some [1:47:36] justice here. And so just thank you so much for being here and sharing your testimony. I yield back. [1:47:40] And now I'll recognize Ms. Lee from Pennsylvania. Thank you, ranking member. I want to start, [1:47:54] like many, by just grounding us in the people who have too often been ignored. Survivors like [1:48:02] Danny Bensky, who was just 17 when she was lured to work for Jeffrey Epstein with false promises [1:48:08] that and then threatened with her mother's illness. Rosa, who was trafficked across borders and abused for [1:48:14] years. Courtney Wilde, who not only survived abuse, but then had to lead a legal fight for recognition [1:48:20] by a Department of Justice that was supposed to protect her. And General Lisa Jones, who has sounded [1:48:27] the alarm that a paltry release of DOJ fouls hints at a possible, probable coverup. I just want to thank [1:48:35] you all for being here, for continuing to show up, for your continued courage and your commitment [1:48:39] to justice. We recognize that you are unfortunately four of very, very many, many more survivors. And [1:48:45] I hope you know that your presence today means, uh, means to survivors across this country, [1:48:50] how important it is to them. For decades, survivors have worked in good faith with law enforcement to [1:48:55] try to expose Epstein and his co-conspirators, only to have their interests and their needs ignored. [1:49:01] From a bogus non-prosecution agreement way back in 2008, to the inexcusable release of personal [1:49:08] identifying information from Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche's DOJ. The DOJ seems perfectly capable of [1:49:15] concealing the names of these rich and these powerful folks in the fouls that have been released, [1:49:20] but they did not give that same level of care to the actual survivors. And here in Florida, Alex Acosta [1:49:26] spent more time cutting the deal with Kenneth Starr, Alan Darshowitz, and other well-connected lawyers [1:49:33] working for Epstein and with Epstein than he did actually listening to survivors. This sweetheart deal [1:49:40] enabled Epstein to continue abusing survivors while he was out on work release, as we've heard. The DOJ has [1:49:46] failed to indict any other perpetrator of sex trafficking beyond Epstein and Maxwell, despite all the complaints [1:49:53] and the reports that other individuals were implicated involved, including from survivors [1:49:57] themselves who have named these people. They seem to have no plans to do so. So Todd Blanche stating that [1:50:03] the Epstein fouls, quote, should not be a part of anything going forward, unquote, is where we need [1:50:09] to spend a little time. This is a glaring proof of a two-tier justice system of justice in this country. [1:50:15] Mr. Cuban, this saga began with a failure at the state level when prosecutors declined to fully [1:50:20] pursue justice against Jeffrey Epstein, right? Correct. You represented one of the first [1:50:25] survivors in Florida. We saw a non-prosecution agreement that showed at Epstein and protected [1:50:29] his associates. Can you explain why that agreement was so unusual and how harmful it was? [1:50:34] So first of all, as I said before, it was unusual because ordinarily the U.S. Attorney's Office [1:50:39] would consult with counsel for the victims and talk about the potential charges that they're going to [1:50:44] bring, and they never did that. They kept it secret. They would not answer phone calls. When I was able to get [1:50:50] through to the U.S. Attorney at the time, who was Maria Villafagna, she said, I can't talk to you. [1:50:56] Second, it was so unusual because it not only gave immunity to Jeffrey Epstein, who was the target of [1:51:02] their investigation, but it gave immunity to co-conspirators without prosecution of those [1:51:06] co-conspirators or even a hint of prosecution of four specifically named co-conspirators. Lastly, [1:51:13] the most unusual part of that deal was that they added the phrase unnamed co-conspirators. I have [1:51:21] never in 30 years doing this ever seen a non-prosecution agreement so broad as to say that they're [1:51:27] giving immunity to unnamed individuals. It was a gift. Ms. Wow, really quickly, can you tell us more [1:51:34] about those emails between Epstein's lawyers and the prosecutors and what made them seem different from [1:51:39] what you would think a typical plea negotiation would look like? Yes, ma'am. When we, when me and Brad [1:51:45] Edwards were able to, we got the emails, it was literally friends. They're, hey, they were meeting [1:51:52] at Starbucks. They were meeting off the record, wherever they wanted. These were friends, literally [1:51:58] negotiating how much time, what it would look like, what the charges were going to look like, what they [1:52:05] were going to say during the grand jury. It was, it was all scripted. It was all set up, cover up. I just [1:52:13] want to say really quickly, does any survivor feel, have you felt protected or seen or heard by the [1:52:19] government? No, ma'am. Just no. None of my, the redactions, none of my information had been redacted. [1:52:26] This is about a system that asked survivors to carry the burden of proof, the burden of patience, [1:52:31] the burden of pain, while people with wealth and power are given time and protection and silence. [1:52:36] While we're here today because of Jeffrey Epstein, sexual abuse survivors across this country know [1:52:41] all too well that he is not an anomaly, but he's a high profile example of a system that too often [1:52:45] works exactly as designed to shield abusers and silence those that they harm. So to all the survivors, [1:52:51] the fierce attorney advocates who are with us here today, I just want to thank you for coming forward, [1:52:55] despite the many frustrations, the threats, the dangers, and the setbacks that you've experienced. We [1:53:00] have a responsibility to all survivors who are still waiting, to the ones who have never gotten [1:53:04] justice, and to the ones watching right now to say that this ends here, and we take that very [1:53:08] seriously. I thank you all so much, and I yield back. Thank you so much, Ms. Lee, and now I am going [1:53:19] to recognize myself for five minutes. I've been smiling probably more than I am supposed to as I've sat [1:53:29] here because y'all bring me so much joy, and let me tell you why. The reason is this. It's because in [1:53:39] spite or despite this incompetent government, y'all have not backed down. For some people, it is the very [1:53:47] first time that they're seeing your faces, but you have been there when no cameras are rolling. You have [1:53:53] been there for decades, and you are still showing up. The reality is that you are not a child in this [1:54:00] moment, but you know that other children are potentially being subjected to something similar [1:54:06] in this exact moment, and it is your courage that is contagious. We don't have that, unfortunately, [1:54:12] in Congress. We got a bunch of cowards, but your courage is contagious. Think about it this way. One [1:54:20] of the things that I really want to clarify, because I have had an opportunity to hear some of your stories [1:54:26] and meet with some of you in person and behind closed doors. A lot of people who potentially are [1:54:32] not on the right side of history right now, one of the common questions that they ask is how is it [1:54:40] that this could have happened to so many people, yet when you were going through your experience, [1:54:47] you failed to see anybody else or know anything else, and you thought that you were all alone. [1:54:52] And I know that that is something you have told me directly. So for the people that are watching, [1:55:00] and they're hearing numbers like, man, thousands of girls, but at the same time they're hearing, [1:55:05] you know what, I never saw anything else. Whoever feels most comfortable, if you will, because for me, [1:55:14] I don't think that I have that much confidence in the government overall doing what's right [1:55:20] right for the right reason. But it is the pressure from outside. It is you going out there and being [1:55:29] courageous that has made the people rise up. That is why we were able to get some kind of movement. [1:55:37] And so I want to build more allies for this movement right now. So if any of you would like [1:55:43] to answer that question? Thank you for that, first of all. But I think it starts with our young people [1:55:53] knowing that they need to speak up. Because for me, I think I was pit against a friend of mine that went [1:56:00] together to Jeffrey the first time, and he was very good at using the manipulation to hold us there. [1:56:07] And so I felt like I couldn't tell anybody, and I didn't tell anybody. So I think it starts with the [1:56:12] youngest, you know, if an experience feels off, to have a young person speak out and talk to even [1:56:19] just a friend about that, and then say to that friend, hey, is this happening to you, then the [1:56:23] two of them can talk to an adult. And then we're already making change, because we're already taking [1:56:28] it out of the dark. I think the secrecy was the hardest part in my own abuse. And meeting all of the [1:56:35] survivor sisters in September absolutely changed my whole life. And so I do think if you can find [1:56:42] community, and if you can find the people who boost you, it's really important. But it starts [1:56:47] with our youngest survivors. Thank you so much for that. And in fact, you brought up young survivors. [1:56:53] You know, a quick question that I have for each of you is, do you believe that a child has the ability [1:56:59] to consent to sex? No, no. Okay. Interestingly enough, most of the time, our laws, whether they're [1:57:06] state or federal, acknowledge that as well. But I have a transcript, and I won't go through it. But [1:57:11] it relates to the case that stemmed out of here, where they were trying to make it seem as if a child [1:57:17] victim was a criminal. That was the focus of their questioning. So it is so frustrating, because [1:57:25] literally, when I was in the state house in Texas, this is one of the things that I actually worked on, [1:57:30] was making sure we changed the actual language in the code, specifically as we talked about child [1:57:36] victims. So that brings me to kind of where we are on the federal level. And I'm going to wrap up, [1:57:44] because of the time. I want to make sure we stay on time. My colleagues have been so, my colleagues are [1:57:51] nicer than I am. I'm going to be real. They've used words like cover-up, choice. For me, it's [1:57:59] obstruction of justice. It's real clear. And that's just the lawyer in me. This is pure obstruction. [1:58:06] Anyone else that would engage in this type of behavior would be charged with obstruction of [1:58:11] justice, yet somehow, because it's the Department of Justice, the ones that are supposed to enforce [1:58:17] justice and law in this country. We're not calling it a thing a thing, but that's what it is. [1:58:23] And so it is my hope that we understand that while these survivors have taken the time to come out, [1:58:30] and some of them were outed unlawfully and absolutely need to have some semblance of justice [1:58:40] because of that illegal outing, because our law was very clear, to be clear about that. [1:58:48] I need people to understand that we all have a role to play. People in this moment keep asking, [1:58:53] what is it that I can do? Well, I'm going to be partisan as well, because they're not being partisan. [1:58:59] The Republicans could have shown up today, too. They didn't. So let me be clear. I am going to be [1:59:04] full-on partisan. You have to vote. If you care about this, you have to vote, and you have to [1:59:10] understand who is fighting for you. There are certain things that were always a basic kind of [1:59:16] standard in this country for what was right. We protected the most vulnerable amongst us. We're not [1:59:22] doing that nowadays. We made sure that we believed in quote-unquote law and order, [1:59:27] but we're not doing that nowadays. It is time to wake up. It is time for us all to do our part, [1:59:35] because again, I'm going to be partisan because only the Democrats decided to show up today. [1:59:39] So with that, I will yield, and my next... Okay, they're making me skip down. Okay. Well, [1:59:49] we're going to head to Virginia. Rep Supervolume, it's your turn. [1:59:56] Thank you. I want to thank you all for being here today, and thank all the people in the audience [2:00:00] here today. And I will just say that it's because of you that we had the Epstein Files Transparency Act [2:00:06] passed, and the president himself had to sign it into law begrudgingly while in the background [2:00:11] trying to figure out how to break it later on. And it's because of you that we were able to issue [2:00:16] an August subpoena led by Representative Lee, and they still haven't complied with that subpoena, [2:00:22] but it's because of you we got that far. It's because of you that they won't even hold hearings, [2:00:26] real hearings in the Oversight Committee on anything anymore, because they're afraid we'll subpoena more [2:00:31] people about Epstein Files and Epstein Transparency Act. So just think about where you've gotten [2:00:36] us. I know it's not enough. It may never be enough. Someone mentioned before, but I just want to thank [2:00:42] you for getting us this far. And I know there are a lot of girls and women around the country around [2:00:47] the world who thank you as well. One of the things that has driven me crazy is that there's millions [2:00:53] of files that have still not been released. And so this question really is for anyone. But one of the [2:00:59] things that I remember hearing from many of the survivors last year was you'd at least like your own [2:01:05] files, files, your own witness statements. Has anyone received your own files? So no one has [2:01:12] received their own files. And has the Trump administration talked to you about potentially [2:01:18] giving you those files? I'm seeing everyone say no. And did they ever talk to you about [2:01:26] which files they were withholding and why they would withhold them or consult with you about that? [2:01:31] I'm seeing everyone shake their heads as well in the audience and all the witnesses we have today. [2:01:36] And so I guess I would ask then, you know, we're going to be talking to someone next week, Pam Bondi. [2:01:43] And so do you have any suggestions on what we should ask her tomorrow? [2:01:47] I think there's a lot to ask her, right? But do we believe anything that she's going to come out of [2:02:03] her mouth? Let's pretend yes. Yeah, okay. I definitely, why, who are you, who are we covering for? [2:02:10] Like, you were willing to lose your job to cover up for these people. What do they have on you? [2:02:20] Because I'd like to know, you're a woman, you're a mother, and you look at us, [2:02:28] you couldn't even look at the survivors. So what's your part in this? [2:02:33] Can I add to that process? What was the process? And we would ask the same of Todd Blanche. What [2:02:41] was the process for moving Keelan Maxwell? I can actually speak to three very specific [2:02:48] things that you should ask her. Number one, there was hours of video surveillance taken [2:02:53] by the lead investigator at the time outside of the home, watching people go in and out of the house [2:02:58] that has yet to be released. And we know it exists from the probable cause affidavit. [2:03:03] Secondly, back in October of 2003, there's record evidence that there were surveillance inside the [2:03:09] home because cash was stolen from Mr. Epstein by one of his workers. And Sarah Kellan showed police [2:03:16] that video from inside the home. That means surveillance cameras, in fact, existed in the home. [2:03:21] Where is that video? And then lastly, Maxwell photographed everything. She loved taking photographs of [2:03:28] people. That was her passion. They have not released even a fraction of the photographs [2:03:35] that Maxwell took. So I'm just going to add on to Danny's point about process and be a little more [2:03:43] specific. So what transpired in advance of the files being released were a number of the lawyers who are in [2:03:51] this room provided DOJ with lists of names. I think one lawyer provided about 300 names and those names [2:04:02] got released in the first batch. Many of those names got released in the first batch of files when they [2:04:10] were dumped. The lawyer went back and said, these names need to be redacted. I'm just going to use [2:04:16] Danny's as an example. I hope that's okay, Danny. So the her lawyer went back and said redact Danny [2:04:23] Bensky's name. So the her lawyer went back and said redact Danny Bensky's name. So the her lawyer went back [2:05:56] and said redact Danny Bensky's name. So the her lawyer went back and said redact Danny Bensky's name. [2:06:10] I'm looking at it, looking at all of you. I'm looking at every single survivor, known and unknown, [2:10:11] that continues to inspire us to do this work and i thank you for being here we do not take that [2:10:19] lightly that you've agreed to be here today and share your stories and being honest about why this [2:10:26] matters because as my colleague said this administration has made it harder not easier [2:10:31] for you to be here but you are in our inspiration and we appreciate you thank you thank you congressman [2:10:39] uh next up is representative min uh thank you to the survivors for appearing here today [2:10:45] ms wild ms jones ms benski rosa mr roberts ms roberts uh your testimonies are powerful and extremely [2:10:55] heart-wrenching and we're sitting right now just 2.8 miles from the epstein estate where so much of [2:11:00] this took place four miles from mar-a-lago where jeffrey epstein spent so much of his time and i [2:11:06] don't think it's lost on any of us up here uh how much courage you all are showing and being here [2:11:11] today in sharing your stories because as we begin to unravel the threads of the epstein files [2:11:17] we're seeing just how broad and deep this conspiracy goes and you number of you have talked about the [2:11:22] threats you face and that must be incredibly frightening many of the world's richest and [2:11:26] most powerful men are implicated and they have directly perpetrated a decades-long cover-up even [2:11:33] after we were able to pass the epstein files transparency act over the maneuvering and [2:11:37] objections i'd add of president trump then attorney general pam bondi and speaker mike johnson uh the [2:11:42] rich and powerful were still able to pervert justice with the doj refusing to turn over 50 [2:11:47] of the documents in their possession redacting the names of the perpetrators while releasing [2:11:51] personal information about many of you uh re-victimizing the survivors and that's outrageous and we [2:11:57] damn for damn sure need to ask pam bondi what the hell happened here and why she chose to [2:12:01] be victimized survivors when she appears before us next week mr hirsch i want to start miss miss hirsch [2:12:07] i want to start with you real quickly are you aware of any instance where the doj contacted survivors [2:12:12] before they released personal identifying information about the survivors last year um the doj did not [2:12:22] contact survivors directly but we at world without exploitation did reach out to doj but they did [2:12:31] reach out they did return a phone call but when we asked them to speak with survivors that never [2:12:38] happened and that's outrageous because the doj is supposed to represent justice for people who are [2:12:43] victims of crime not re-victimizing them not protecting the perpetrators of crime and what's [2:12:48] at stake today for you all and the hundreds of other women who were trafficked and abused by jeffrey epstein [2:12:53] galane maxwell and their associates is justice for you but also the idea that there's one rule of law for [2:13:00] everybody uh that we don't have one set of rules to the rich and powerful the epstein elites and [2:13:04] another that applies to the rest of us uh as i've said before i spent my career fighting for the rule [2:13:09] of law this is very important to me i also started my career at the securities and exchange commission [2:13:14] proceeding corporate fraud uh then taught banking law at uc irvine and i also know that following the [2:13:19] money is the first rule of tracking down any kind of major criminal conspiracy uh and as i just want to [2:13:25] reiterate the points that were made earlier by rep christian murthy by you ms roberts uh that we need [2:13:31] to follow the money that uh epstein survivors have sued and won settlements from a number of large [2:13:36] financial institutions including bank of america jp morgan and deutsche bank uh hundreds of millions of [2:13:42] dollars uh we need to get the sars reports from treasury we need the sec treasury and the banking regulators [2:13:47] uh to investigate and potentially prosecute uh anyone or any institution that was complicit in covering up or [2:13:55] helping facilitate the epstein trafficking ring now mr coven you've stated previously that epstein would [2:14:01] never have been able to get away with this horrendous crimes uh without the complexity of banks the big [2:14:05] banks and and back in 2023 you stated i've always said that he would never be able to molest these young [2:14:11] girls without the banks and the money behind it uh could you briefly elaborate on what you meant when you [2:14:15] said that correct um so we found during our original litigation back at the inception that he was pulling [2:14:22] out large amounts of cash and transferring funds back and forth and large amounts of cash were coming [2:14:28] out of the banks there were never any questions that were being asked of him at the time and in fact as [2:14:33] i alluded to before even back in 2003 he had envelopes filled with cash that he even reported to police [2:14:39] that had been stolen from his home and the banks appeared to be working with him not questioning him [2:14:45] because of all of the money he was moving through those institutions it is a damn shame the department of [2:14:51] justice and the fbi have never followed this thread even though it's something that is very very [2:14:55] important i will just add that house oversight democrats have worked with chairman comber to issue [2:15:00] subpoenas for deutsche bank and jp morgan but we're seeking subpoenas for an additional 21 banks [2:15:06] i think this is going to be really really important another important piece of evidence that has not [2:15:10] been followed up on is the camera evidence the computer files uh the lead attorney at the time maria [2:15:15] villafuena had referred to uh now you had mentioned mr coven that you saw a number of cameras uh in the [2:15:21] estate uh that would potentially have a lot of damning footage can you describe what cameras you saw and [2:15:27] how how many where they were located in the estate right so uh after we originally filed the first case [2:15:34] here in palm beach for one of the victims um i was granted an opportunity by the court to go on [2:15:40] property at epstein's home and do a site inspection there were spots within the home both in the [2:15:45] bedrooms and the massage area and other areas of the home where you could see mounting brackets where [2:15:50] cameras used to be and then there were cpu or computer units that have been taken away and then i was able [2:15:56] to verify back in 2003 as i said that sarah kellen had actually shown internal footage to the police [2:16:03] department back then of someone that was had allegedly taken money so there was verifiable evidence [2:16:10] that cameras were in fact in the home lastly i represented a client in manhattan who when she [2:16:15] was brought to the home in manhattan saw the entire network of cameras that was being utilized in the [2:16:21] manhattan mansion none of that video has been released today and in fact lead attorney i'll just close [2:16:26] with this maria villafuena had said that that was a smoking gun this evidence they knew exactly where it was [2:16:31] and alex acosta who was then the u.s attorney for the district of florida uh refused to investigate [2:17:11] this or actually seek to have this turned over i want to or actually seek to have this turned over [2:17:15] i want to thank you all again uh thank you for your courage and being here today thank thank you [2:17:20] congressman uh next is representative randall thank you mr ranking member and thank you to each of you [2:17:27] for being here today i especially want to thank those of you who shared your stories about surviving [2:17:35] unimaginable abuse we thank you for your immense bravery which we do over and over again but also [2:17:43] for your willingness to relive your trauma in pursuit of justice i know you've waited far too long [2:17:51] and are still waiting who are seen and heard by every member of congress in this room and we will make [2:18:00] sure that your stories are not ignored former attorney general bondi literally kept her back turned [2:18:09] away from a room full of survivors we've seen the photo we are here to do the opposite we are here [2:18:17] to walk alongside you and to shine a light on the stories that you have shared over and over we'll keep [2:18:27] fighting for truth for transparency and an end to this shameless doj cover-up of all the information [2:18:33] relating to the heinous crimes of this epstein case doj's document productions to date have released [2:18:40] very little new information about epstein's co-conspirators in fact we know that there are more than 2.5 [2:18:47] million documents still hidden but unfortunately as we have heard today recent releases have exposed [2:18:56] private private and personal identifying information of survivors doj has created serious risk to safety [2:19:04] for survivors and published names and photographs some of them very explicit survivors have also shared [2:19:11] with the committee that in multiple instances as we heard again today loved ones didn't know [2:19:20] that you had been abused by epstein until that information was released publicly every oversight [2:19:30] democrat sent pam bondi a letter back in february to express alarm at doj for publishing survivor names [2:19:36] and photographs thousands of times while taking special care to redact information that could be crucial [2:19:43] for bringing justice and holding perpetrators of abuse accountable the sheer amount of personal identifiable [2:19:51] information released after survivors got assurances from doj that they would be protected raises [2:19:57] the question of whether this is just incompetence or far more likely deliberate witness intimidation [2:20:08] miss benske you have spoken about this about the harm of doj's sloppy epstein file release that has [2:20:16] caused you and other survivors you spoke about your own name being released despite repeated requests to [2:20:22] redact it will you share again for us for the record what that experience meant to you and other [2:20:29] survivors to have your information be exposed yeah i mean i i am public that's a choice that i made [2:20:36] but never in my life did i expect for anybody to read intimate details of abuse um to me it's always [2:20:43] been about protecting others and um you know unfortunately i have friends in this story and [2:20:50] to see somebody's name out there who has worked so hard to move past this in life um is something [2:21:01] it sends a shock wave through your body it hits you like reading your own name in the file first just [2:21:07] like i you know i went into the files thinking i would have to look pretty hard to find things type [2:21:11] my last name in and everything came up right and it's like there's like a hot flash moment right it hits [2:21:17] you sort of like a bullet to the chest where you're like oh my god it's that feeling of like that ptsd is [2:21:22] real right so the ptsd of um the trauma that i endured definitely came back and then you're reading on [2:21:30] and then you see more and you see survivors being outed a survivor that i had said you know don't ever [2:21:36] worry you've always been a jane doe so um and to feel the impact of that is something that i will carry [2:21:43] forever i um i'm sorry i feel like you deserve an apology from your government and you know as [2:21:55] democratic members of congress we are here to continue to work with you but i also know that [2:22:02] we absolutely have to fight for better we have to fight to pass virginia's law and um i know congresswoman [2:22:10] frankel wanted us to share that she's also been working on the courtney wild reinforcing crime [2:22:17] victims rights act to ensure that those rights that you are owed are actually upheld that we work with [2:22:24] survivors to inform you about any prosecutorial agreements to ensure that folks know what rights [2:22:32] you are awarded and deserved and we will continue to investigate and to fight for all of you but [2:22:41] also for every survivor and every young person who is being victimized around the world thank you i yield [2:22:47] back thank you congresswoman uh representative ansari thank you ranking member president trump [2:22:56] former attorney general pam bondy and acting attorney general todd blanche promised truth and transparency [2:23:01] regarding the epstein files they have instead led the most egregious cover-up in american history [2:23:08] despite their public assurances pam bondy released epstein files at an excruciatingly slow pace [2:23:15] and when she did as we heard in powerful testimony today protected the names of rich and powerful men who [2:23:22] committed the crimes while revealing the identities of survivors in march of 2026 the doj admitted that it [2:23:31] withheld almost 48 000 files from public release including allegations against president trump the trump [2:23:37] epstein administration continues to try to cover it up to this day president trump has said most recently [2:23:44] that we should stop wasting time and energy on the epstein files he's called the fight for the release [2:23:49] of the files and transparency and i quote a hoax abuse and trafficking of thousands of minors is not [2:23:58] a hoax abuse and sexual exploitation of women is not a hoax survivors deserve the truth and the american [2:24:06] public deserves the truth miss jones you have said that you and i quote put your hope in president [2:24:14] donald trump and that you believe that he would do right by the survivors now do you believe that he [2:24:20] has broken his promise he's broken many promises thank you i want to remind everyone that former congresswoman [2:24:31] marjorie taylor green alleges that during a phone call president trump told her that if he was to [2:24:37] release the epstein files and i quote my friends are going to get hurt and now the trump department [2:24:45] of justice that is responsible for overseeing the release of the epstein files claims that there is [2:24:50] nothing more to investigate in the epstein case todd blanche met with galane maxwell epstein's accomplice [2:24:57] before moving her to a cushy minimal security prison it is so ridiculous and insulting so far [2:25:06] only epstein and maxwell have been prosecuted for sex trafficking and there has never been a full [2:25:11] accounting of epstein's financial crimes or additional prosecutions of suspected co-conspirators [2:25:18] last month acting attorney general todd blanche said and i quote from the information that we have [2:25:24] within the epstein files we do not have a case against anybody miss jones based on your experience [2:25:32] or based on what you have seen in the files do you believe the statement to be true absolutely not [2:25:39] miss benck ski based on your own experiences or what you have seen in the files do you believe the [2:25:44] statement to be true no miss wilds i'd like to ask you the same question no and rosa lastly i'd like to [2:25:54] ask you the same no thank you i yield back thank you congresswoman i'd like to now have representative [2:26:05] walkenshaw thank you ranking member and thank you all for being here walking into this room and telling [2:26:11] your stories again takes tremendous courage and i've i've heard a lot of the stories from survivors and [2:26:21] like everybody i'm struck by the courage the commitment to justice for epstein maxwell and [2:26:28] everyone involved in these crimes but i'm most struck by your commitment to protecting every [2:26:34] child and every potential victim of sexual abuse or assault epstein maxwell and their co-conspirators [2:26:42] shattered lives they targeted vulnerable women and girls objectifying and attempting to silence them [2:26:50] they were protected by their wealth their power their privilege we can see it here in palm beach [2:26:57] and as we've heard today their ability to commit these crimes reflects a systemic and intentional [2:27:03] failure by the very institutions meant to protect you our government lets you down when you deserve [2:27:10] protection and justice for the crimes that were committed against you and we're here today to try to [2:27:16] do our part to correct some of these failures and we're not going to stop until the truth comes out the [2:27:26] extent of the crimes the involvement of all of the co-conspirators is revealed i want to focus on two [2:27:33] patterns that have emerged today first epstein and maxwell weaponizing immigration status and travel [2:27:41] documents against survivors confiscating passports holding visas hostage to trap women and girls in their [2:27:50] orbit and then when survivors like yourselves were brave enough to speak up our justice system ignoring you [2:27:57] reinforcing the sense that there was nowhere safe for you to turn rosa miss wild thank you for being [2:28:06] here today i want to ask you both just a couple questions related to these patterns rosa can you tell us [2:28:13] again how epstein used your visa status as leverage to keep you under his control [2:28:20] oh one visa is a visa for an individual with extraordinary abilities and it takes a lot of [2:28:29] documents to obtain that visa i have helped one individual to obtain similar visa and i learned the [2:28:37] amount of documents needed to be gathered looking back at my case now i did not have like documents to [2:28:45] obtain that visa i am 100 sure of that my agency being able to obtain that visa for me in such a short [2:28:52] time which is was less than six months it's a miracle you try to do that right now you won't be able to [2:29:00] i want to know how and i it's impossible so i knew that my visa was linked to him and if he is unpleased [2:29:14] i would be sent back and are you aware of epstein using similar tactics against other women or girls i [2:29:24] have personally met a foreigner girl at his mansion in west palm beach and i have personally have not seen [2:29:33] a foreigner come forward to tell the story and i hope my case will bring more people out in front [2:29:42] because there are many other people who speak broken english or don't speak english at all who [2:29:48] can take tell their stories thank you miss wild you were 14 as you testified when you first encountered [2:29:55] mr epstein is this you yes a child yes i just want to go back to the doj investigation and the sweetheart [2:30:05] deal for epstein and ask you were you told by the department of justice that your case was still being [2:30:13] investigated even after alex acosta signed off on epstein's plea deal yes they sent me a paper in [2:30:22] the mail my attorneys have it um that saying it was going to be a lengthy process and that you know [2:30:29] they were doing everything that they could um to put them away but at that time when the letter was [2:30:36] uh dated it had already been signed the non-prosecution agreement you learned later that they had already [2:30:41] signed the deal yes so that letter they sent you was a lie they lied to you yes thank you thank you [2:30:47] both i yield back thank you congressman uh next up is representative presley uh thank you to congresswoman [2:30:58] lois frankel uh thank you to ranking member uh garcia to congresswoman summer lee uh your efforts [2:31:04] have made today possible and of course uh thanks to our courageous survivors i've been on this committee [2:31:11] since i was a freshman and elijah cummings the great elijah cummings our chair at the time would often [2:31:16] remind us that the role of the committee on oversight our mandate is to be in efficient and effective [2:31:24] pursuit of the truth now that pursuit is what brings house democrats here today because instead [2:31:35] of epstein's victims being met with efficiency they've been met with obstruction and delays by law [2:31:44] enforcement and by the department of justice instead of epstein's victims of being met with effectiveness [2:31:51] they've been met with systemic cover-up and i would add cowardice of those who were intimidated [2:31:59] by the power and the privilege of jeffrey epstein jelaine maxwell and their co-conspirators so today [2:32:07] we are here to shine a light because sunlight is the best disinfectant we are here to shine a light [2:32:15] on the corruption uh on the failures of this investigation but most of all we are here to [2:32:25] center the survivors to center the courageous survivors who are grown women before you but who [2:32:35] were children children whose innocence was corrupted whose bodies were violated whose dreams were destroyed [2:32:46] whose lives were irrevocably changed maria courtney jenalisa danny rosa and sky and amanda here for [2:33:01] virginia we thank you congress enacted the crime victims rights act in 2004 to mandate specific [2:33:13] obligations for the department of justice to ensure that survivors are protected informed and able to [2:33:19] heal now mr coven you've spent decades representing survivors and fighting for transparency around [2:33:24] the federal government's handling of their cases can you speak to how the federal government violated [2:33:31] after their bodies were violated after their dreams their dignity their lives were violated how were their [2:33:38] rights violated it was our understanding after the release of documents and the bravery of miss wild [2:33:47] here at the end in her case that was brought and the final disclosure of all those documents it showed [2:33:53] that the federal government and the state attorney's office colluded together to not bring an indictment [2:34:00] because they knew that if they did then the crime victims rights act would then be triggered and they [2:34:07] would have to inform the victims of what they were doing so what we learned was they intentionally kept [2:34:13] it out of the hands of victims so that the victims couldn't object or have any say in the process by [2:34:20] secretly doing this deal that they did and the federal judge very brave federal judge mara found that [2:34:29] there was a violation of the act here in the southern district and unfortunately because the way the law was [2:34:34] written there was absolutely no way to get them any justice or any remedy as a result that's right so they [2:34:42] weren't notified they were not consulted they were not given the opportunity to participate in [2:34:45] proceedings that directly affected their lives and their safety these rights are supposed to be [2:34:50] guaranteed by the crime victims rights act now would any survivors i'd like to speak to any examples [2:34:56] to share about how the federal government ignored or neglected your case i see the clock is ticking here [2:35:01] would anyone else like to speak to that um how about this let me just say this as a survivor myself i know [2:35:07] that this is not only about your safety that you were robbed of your innocence and your dreams survivors [2:35:13] are also forced to carry the financial burden of abuse lost wages housing instability medical expenses [2:35:20] legal fees security costs trauma that impacts your daily life could any of you speak to that [2:35:30] we have put ourselves on the front line and spoke out and put our face to the public when we should have [2:35:37] never had to and that comes with a huge toll now every job that we apply for they google us they know our [2:35:47] most personal information of things that happen to us as children that is forever forever going to follow [2:35:59] us we don't get that back we don't get that luxury so that is just the one one of the most important [2:36:09] things that comes with the weight of this all because the government couldn't do their job may i am [2:36:19] like i heard this before from the survivors i'm a really cool person if you meet me outside of here [2:36:27] i have a life stories but these um release of documents made me something else and i i can't do [2:36:38] tasks daily tasks without certain help and i have a support system and i'm grateful for it but if i didn't [2:36:46] i don't think i would be here today alive so it's really hard i i want to tell the world like [2:36:56] it's hard to be here today i'm very uncomfortable [2:37:00] i'm trying to look like i'm okay but i'm not okay yes would anyone else like to speak to the [2:37:11] financial burden of abuse lost wages housing instability medical expenses legal fees security [2:37:17] costs um so i i was gonna when i was younger when i we met i met jeffrey i would i experienced a lot [2:37:25] of homelessness so i think i misunderstood your question but say whatever you would like yes ma'am i was just [2:37:31] going to say that you know just like you were walking over the bridge you know a 14 year old [2:37:37] going to palm beach it was like as soon as you go over that bridge you just feel the money and power [2:37:44] and it's just such a contrast if you go down okeechobee to okeechobee and the turnpike there's a [2:37:52] road called drexel and it's a mobile home street there's a lot of that's where i came that's where i [2:37:58] was from so to go from here to there is just you know it's so confusing i was homeless my parents had [2:38:08] addiction problems you know he prayed he knew what he was doing it was all very calculated [2:38:14] you know and then later on the fact that he used those things against me we had the feds pulling up [2:38:23] our my spaces treating us like criminals because we were at a party at 16 and 17 drinking you know [2:38:31] rather than going out they had so for me it's just it's a it's so sad that he he knew who he prayed on [2:38:40] he prayed on young especially in palm beach county he paid he prayed on us kids who came from troubled [2:38:48] backgrounds and everything else and they portrayed us as these underage prostitutes which is that is [2:38:57] that a real charge is is it like what was the statue number um i'm on his charge that he took spencer [2:39:08] spencer right is that a real charge it was bizarre to us even at the time but um you know it made [2:39:16] absolutely no sense and the statutory guidance was very questionable given that they were minors but [2:39:21] speaking to representatives questions specifically and representing survivors over the last 30 years now [2:39:29] you know it affects not just the survivor it affects their family it affects the way they raise their own [2:39:35] children if they have daughters it affects their mental stability and ability to maintain employment [2:39:41] um you know try telling a survivor they've got to pay a lawyer for 20 years straight if they want to [2:39:47] get justice it's impossible especially with a law that doesn't provide any remedy so they've got to seek [2:39:53] out victims advocates that are willing to do it for free and there aren't many of those especially none [2:39:59] that want to do it for 20 plus years to fight so the financial ramifications of of being a victim [2:40:05] especially of somebody with unlimited resources is dramatic can i add to that i think also [2:40:12] to continue this fight like we're all here right now and this isn't the only thing i'm sure we're all [2:40:18] doing this week to talk about getting the messaging out advocacy is expensive therapy and healing is [2:40:24] expensive you know and we there's no time to work because honestly we got to change it for our kids [2:40:31] because i don't want to raise my kid in a world like this right now so yeah i'll just close out with [2:40:38] one one point to courtney to to your question about these prostitution charges we need to eliminate [2:40:46] the prostitution charges from the books altogether we absolutely absolutely should be holding sex [2:40:51] buyers accountable for the harm they cause but people in prostitution should not be criminalized for [2:40:58] being in prostitution because the vast majority of them are not there by choice they're there because of [2:41:03] lack of circumstances poverty other vulnerabilities and what we see so often is that traffickers deliberately [2:41:12] use that notion that the women and girls will be arrested for prosecute prostitution as a tactic it is [2:41:22] the number one tactic in order to make sure that survivors victims are too terrified and too [2:41:30] traumatized to talk so we've got a lot of work to do and i just want to again i thank you all and thank you [2:41:35] for being prescriptive with a number of the the legislative uh responses to address these systemic [2:41:42] harms i'll just say that there is no amount of compensation that could ever fully account [2:41:48] for what was stolen but every single survivor certainly deserves much more than sympathy [2:41:56] and that is the work that i'm committed to doing alongside of you legislatively thank you thank you [2:42:04] thank you congresswoman uh i'd like to turn over now to representative frankel thank you thank you again [2:42:10] for being here and let me just start with courtney you and i met many many years ago and uh just to [2:42:17] let you know i took for heart what you said and myself and colleagues democratic women's caucus we [2:42:23] have filed the bill many years in a row named after you to make sure we can get these rights that you [2:42:32] talked about and the the uh the courtney wild bill would assert that the victims of federal crimes are [2:42:40] entitled to all the rights guaranteed under the original crime victim rights act regardless of if [2:42:46] the charges are filed in court and then it lists out a whole set of criteria so i want to thank you for [2:42:52] your bravery we're still trying to get that bill passed it's a little difficult under the circumstances but [2:43:00] we're going to keep trying and thank you so much for your persistence yes now i want to tell everybody [2:43:11] i don't think i was able to tell you exactly why it took so long to have this hearing in palm beach [2:43:16] county because i think many of us all always believe there are three witnesses who have been missing [2:43:23] who must be asked the question why did jeffrey epstein get the deal that he got and why were the [2:43:32] survivors so mistreated in the grand jury room and those people are barry krisha who was the state [2:43:39] attorney lana bevla levick i don't know if i'm saying that name right she was one of the prosecutors in [2:43:46] that grand jury and mary ann dugan who was one of the prosecutors i've requested for many years that [2:43:52] those people be subpoenaed uh we almost had an opportunity uh in 2019 karen maloney was the [2:44:00] chair before of our oversight committee when democrats were in charge we actually scheduled [2:44:06] to have a here this hearing here uh and what happened was the justice the uh uh department had [2:44:14] engaged the maxwell prosecution and they said they would not allow survivors to testify so that's why [2:44:22] this and that was correct actually so that that's what happened and then political circumstances changed [2:44:29] but uh we we need to get to the bottom of this and i really my next question really was for you [2:44:34] mr coven thank you so much for all you've done for the justice system can you give us any insight [2:44:41] opinion why these charges were so watered down was it power were the attorneys was the state attorney [2:44:51] here let's start with barry krischer because he could have stopped it right away right could have [2:44:56] stopped it right away was he overpowered was he sweet talked what happened i think all of the above [2:45:03] unfortunately the system is political here and he was an elected representative and after my client [2:45:11] went forward to police and the investigation began we saw a full court press meaning that epstein hired his [2:45:19] lawyer from miami roy black he hired alan dershowitz he hired mr lefkowitz from new york and they all swarmed [2:45:26] into palm beach county and they met with barry krischer with all kinds of information that was just [2:45:34] an attempt to smear victims they called them liars they called them young uh you know prostitutes as [2:45:43] courtney stated they were pulling up myspace pages of these girls and then they were talking about the [2:45:49] parade of horribles that could happen to mr krischer and they were doing this in the history unfortunately [2:45:56] of this county many may forget that there was a failed prosecution of a rape here in palm beach county [2:46:04] from one of the kennedy's yes and there was a huge publicity um problem associated with that on a [2:46:12] political basis and i know that barry krischer was aware of that and i think he saw his career going up [2:46:17] in flames if he were to prosecute these so i think he was looking for an out and as a result i think that's [2:46:24] why he tanked the grand jury investigation well what a bad excuse i think perhaps his uh career should [2:46:32] have gone up in flames really i mean look i'm taking the personalities out of this uh i i would suggest [2:46:40] not only did the lawyers put pressure on him but i would assume that he got many phone calls is that [2:46:47] correct from hot you want to add to that we have no doubt that um a number of phone calls were made [2:46:54] politically in fact chief writer at the time who i spoke with and in sworn deposition testimony [2:47:00] stated that he in fact was so concerned that he asked mr acosta directly is he a protected informant [2:47:07] so just you mentioned chief writer because i think it's always good to identify the good guys [2:47:11] and chief writer who originally brought this case was appalled with what krischer was doing here [2:47:19] and ironically he ended up taking the case to the u.s attorney who didn't do much better what happened [2:47:28] there was it the same type of pressure yeah it was even higher pressure at that point because then ken [2:47:35] starr got involved as well on epstein's team and we all know that name from history um and there were huge [2:47:42] amounts of political pressure that were being exerted on the u.s attorney's office in the southern [2:47:47] district at that time but you're absolutely right chief writer um fought the good fight and he was [2:47:53] so angry at barry krischer that he wrote a scathing letter that's in the record now to him just astounded [2:47:58] at the failure of his office to prosecute these claims and they were looking at the u.s attorney's [2:48:03] office to save them to save the case and unfortunately uh they were just appalled at what they did as well [2:48:12] and one more comment which is to really to uh really salute the power of the press because it was a [2:48:21] miami herald article in november 2018 called perversion of perversion perversion of justice [2:48:29] that finally really start to bring a lot of this to light and then it was the palm beach post going to [2:48:35] court to get the grand jury uh proceedings of palm beach county open and that that was in a couple [2:48:42] years later so we thank them and i want to i'm going to yield back in a minute just to say again thank [2:48:48] you so much to the survivors to our witnesses so for you are an inspiration of courage and [2:48:57] perseverance and give us really the uh the intuition to continue for this fight and again let's make sure [2:49:07] that we subpoena and have all the relevant witnesses testify and we find out who else should be [2:49:14] accountable because jeffrey epstein did not act alone and with that thank you so much for holding [2:49:20] this hearing i yield back thank you thank you representative and i i want to again just as i [2:49:26] close this out um i want to thank first and foremost representative frankel for hosting us today this would [2:49:31] not have been possible without her leadership her team her insistence um on why palm beach palm beach [2:49:39] county is so important to this broader investigation and of course i want to thank mayor james and his [2:49:44] team for their support in putting this hearing together most importantly i want to thank the survivors [2:49:50] that are here and our witnesses uh your testimony on the record is so important and i know so many of [2:49:56] you have had to continue to speak out but having um having your stories and your answers in the record [2:50:05] is really important to our investigation i want to thank you for your courage i also just want to for [2:50:11] the public to understand that for those of us on the committee we are focused on truth accountability [2:50:18] and justice clearly palm beach the u.s attorney's office so many of the prosecutors that were involved in [2:50:27] in this case law enforcement officials these are all individuals that we have a lot of questions for [2:50:35] for us to really move this investigation forward we need to understand why the prosecutors that went [2:50:45] forward to the u.s attorney to other courts and demanded and asked for prosecutions and asked for [2:50:53] actions to be taken why those were denied we have yet to get responses from alice acosta but it's clear [2:51:01] that we have additional questions for the former labor secretary and we certainly have numerous [2:51:07] questions for the line prosecutors that were involved in making those recommendations palm beach county [2:51:14] will continue to be an important place for our investigation as we continue to explore and [2:51:19] investigate the links between what was happening at mar-a-lago and of course jeffrey epstein [2:51:25] and to close we'll say we look forward to hearing from attorney general bondi here in a few weeks and [2:51:33] that we continue to ask the majority to partner with us in additional subpoenas as this investigation [2:51:40] moves forward and as we work to protect the survivors and with that again thank you all to our witnesses [2:51:46] and this meeting is adjourned thank you okay well thank you my name is robert garcia i'm the ranking member [3:00:40] of the oversight committee of course i'm here with members of the oversight committee on the democrats [3:00:46] that are clearly focused today on the survivors and accountability truth and justice i'm going to hear [3:00:53] from some of our committee members here in just a second i want to just give some thoughts and then answer [3:00:59] any questions now we're here in palm beach county because so much of this investigation brings us back [3:01:07] to this location we know that the crimes of jeffrey epstein and glean maxwell the horrible things that [3:01:14] happened to so many women and girls totaling 1200 could have been stopped and halted had authorities [3:01:23] here been listened to had prosecutors who made recommendations to the u.s attorney had been listened to [3:01:33] had survivors been listened to but time and time again whether it was at the law enforcement level [3:01:39] or whether it was at the u.s attorney's office by alex acasa and others that justice was denied and [3:01:46] survivors did not receive justice we know that that led to the additional abuse and trafficking of [3:01:52] women and girls including of rosa who you heard from today and you heard her a horrific story and had [3:02:02] folks listened that would not have happened to her and to so many others we also want to be clear that [3:02:11] especially after today we want to hear and are demanding to hear from the line prosecutors and [3:02:18] law enforcement officials that made some recommendations to prosecute additional names [3:02:27] to go after co-conspirators and yet were denied those charges and that evidence was pushed back [3:02:35] because of decisions made by the u.s attorney at the time alex acosta now we've talked to mr acosta in [3:02:40] the past we have additional questions and i think it's important for anyone that was involved in the case [3:02:46] here in palm beach to know that while we have reached out to some folks to speak to us voluntarily [3:02:57] you will be compelled to answer questions when democrats are in the majority if you were involved [3:03:06] in this case and tried to do the right thing and made recommendations to the u.s attorney to bring [3:03:15] prosecutions we encourage you to testify and to bring your information to the committee but if you're [3:03:27] unwilling to do so we are going to compel that testimony because those survivors deserve to understand [3:03:34] who and why decisions were made to not move forward with prosecutions that then led to the abuse [3:03:42] of so many more women and girls i'll also say that i want to reiterate to the attorney general that we [3:03:51] expect to see her in front of our committee in just a couple of weeks and that we expect republicans [3:03:59] and james comer because it's his decision alone to ensure that that testimony is recorded under oath [3:04:08] and released to the american public the survivors deserve nothing less and i want to thank them for [3:04:12] their courage today to provide testimony under oath with that i'm going to turn this over to [3:04:17] representative frankel who of course hosted us here today thank you thank you thank you to mr garcia [3:04:22] and my colleagues uh i've been trying to get this hearing here for many years and i thank you so much [3:04:28] for finally bringing folks here because folks so much of the truth lies here hidden in palm beach county [3:04:37] and we still have yet under oath heard from some of the key players barry krischer who was state attorney [3:04:43] at the time the two prosecutors he sent in to a grand jury room to debase our survivors we need to hear [3:04:53] from them and i can give you another list of associates law enforcement state attorney employees [3:05:02] who have some of the answers to the big question is why did epstein get such a slap on the wrist [3:05:10] secondly uh to courtney wild a bill has been filed actually numerous times to deal with a hook concern [3:05:18] that the survivors were not given notice of the plea and had any opportunity to weigh into that and [3:05:26] uh i'm just going to end by saying this because what makes this so tragic and sad is how many lives [3:05:34] how many lives how could have been spared the agony of abuse had the prosecutors in palm beach county [3:05:43] acted properly or had they not been overpowered i should say overpowered by jeffrey epstein and his [3:05:50] his team of lawyers politicians business people whoever who who obviously overpowered our our justice [3:06:00] system and with that again thank thank you where are you thank you so much for for bringing us here and [3:06:05] all of you for your attention i yield back so um you know we're here at at ground zero for where epstein's [3:06:22] crimes occurred uh crimes that were moral crimes uh civil crimes criminal crimes uh crimes that i would [3:06:33] consider uh really against uh humanity uh given the systemic harm caused by really what was a global enterprise of [3:06:46] trafficking girls impossible for me to not think about my own 17 year old daughter again you see grown women [3:06:55] before you who are courageous in their refusal to be silent but they were mere girls 14 15 16 17 [3:07:08] talented artists dancers aspiring teachers lawyers models their bodies were violated their dreams [3:07:20] devastated their lives irreparably harmed when you are violated in such a way as a child it [3:07:32] changes uh on a very foundational and deep level who you are forever your ability to love to receive love [3:07:45] but it's not only an emotional toll and certainly the cost of trauma is a high one but there are also [3:07:57] economic expenses and inability to pursue a job to keep a job 20 years of 30 years three decades of legal fees [3:08:08] that no one was counting on and not only uh was their innocence corrupted and their bodies violated and [3:08:18] their lives changed their very rights were violated the crime victims rights act grants individuals who are [3:08:27] victims of federal crimes specific enforceable rights including protection from the accused reasonable [3:08:37] accurate and timely notice of public proceedings and the right to be heard it ensures victims are treated with [3:08:45] fairness dignity and respect well that did not happen their rights were violated and i'm working closely [3:08:56] with survivors for a legislative fix of restorative justice that's what brings us here today to learn from the [3:09:03] survivors to identify failures to hold predators and abusers accountable and although i commend the [3:09:13] survivors for their courage i look forward to a day where survivors do not have to relive their trauma in [3:09:23] order to compel action from their government and finally although this is a fight specifically for justice [3:09:31] accountability and healing for our survivors who deserve so much more than sympathy which is why seeking [3:09:38] to advance a legislative restorative justice fix to acknowledge the economic abuse and financial hardship [3:09:45] that many of them still carry today but this is a fight for all survivors that are victims of sexual assault [3:09:52] and human trafficking and so for that to ensure that there is no erasure i want to acknowledge the [3:09:58] incredible work of toronna burke of the me too movement um amber tamblin and many more and in my own [3:10:06] district of the massachusetts seventh my life my choice and the boston area rape crisis center [3:10:12] this is a fight for all survivors good afternoon i'm melanie stansbury and i am very deeply proud to [3:10:25] represent new mexico's first congressional district and to be part of a state delegation in new mexico that is [3:10:32] seeking to turn the epstein files into epstein trials as we stand here today new mexico is the first and only [3:10:41] state to pass a state law to investigate this case and what i think is extraordinary about today and i want to [3:10:51] acknowledge congresswoman frankel is that this is the first congressional hearing on this case to ever [3:11:00] be held in west palm beach think about that the first criminal allegation against jeffrey epstein happened [3:11:09] more than 25 years ago in this community police look the other way your state attorney general look the [3:11:19] other way our national and federal attorney generals and investigatory bodies look the other way the fbi [3:11:27] had gobs of evidence that there were criminal enterprises going on here in this community that [3:11:34] included the exploitation of children the trafficking of children across state lines international [3:11:42] trafficking of children and women and financial crimes and over the last two and a half decades not a [3:11:51] single congressional hearing has been held on this case here in this community where it all started [3:11:58] and so i want to say thank you to congresswoman frankel and to our soon-to-be chair of the oversight [3:12:07] committee because we would not be here if it were not for them and for the survivors who were brave enough [3:12:13] to show up today and to tell their stories on camera for the world to hear now i just want to say [3:12:21] this as i close out my comments there are lots of discussions about the failure of the system to hold [3:12:28] jeffrey epstein glane maxwell and the potentially dozens of men who exploited young girls and trafficked and [3:12:37] participated in the sexual exploitation of survivors but this was not an isolated incident of failures of a [3:12:46] system this is a system that was designed to exploit children it was a system that protected the wealthy and [3:12:56] powerful and it was a system that intentionally chose not to prosecute jeffrey epstein under federal law [3:13:04] which enabled him to commit potentially hundreds of other cases of rape abuse grooming and transnational [3:13:11] sex trafficking that is not just system failure that is a system that was designed to enable rich and [3:13:19] powerful people to get away with anything that they wanted and so we're here today to make sure that [3:13:28] the voices of survivors that the stories of survivors are heard not just in this community but across the [3:13:35] world and to make sure that we take on that system directly to say we are not going to stand for this one [3:13:44] more moment and to end the injustices that have allowed this to happen in this community and communities [3:13:52] all across the country and so we demand accountability we demand action we demand that pam bondy show up for [3:14:01] her deposition we demand that donald trump release the epstein files we demand that todd blanche actually [3:14:09] prosecute these crimes and we demand accountability for every single perpetrator that is still out there [3:14:16] we are coming for you i'm emily randall i represent washington state's sixth district and i [3:14:29] have been moved over and over and over by the stories of such brave women brave women who are forced [3:14:37] by a system of power to relive their trauma over and over and over in pursuit of justice and what [3:14:45] i hear from my neighbors and i know that my colleagues here from the american people across the country [3:14:51] is that this case isn't only about survivors of epstein's trafficking and sexual crimes but it is about [3:14:58] survivors everywhere who finally feel a little bit of hope that their stories will be listened to [3:15:07] and that they will be able to imagine a future in which there is justice but we're not there yet [3:15:16] because we still are experiencing a department of justice that is engaging in a massive cover-up 2.5 [3:15:26] million documents still unreleased in this epstein investigation and yet the release over and over and [3:15:37] over again thousands of times of the names and personally identifying information of survivors [3:15:46] there's nothing else to call that but witness intimidation because it cannot be accidental the [3:15:55] number of times that co-conspirators and powerful men have their names redacted in the files and survivors [3:16:02] names are unreacted no matter how many times they have asked for that privacy and protection no matter [3:16:10] how many women testified under the understanding that they would be identified as jane doe we are seeing [3:16:18] information about survivors who have already been traumatized over and over and over again [3:16:24] be released as part of this cover-up and part of this intimidation strategy we are going to continue [3:16:32] to fight so that those who are actually culpable the dozens hundreds of people who are actually culpable [3:16:43] have their day in the sunlight that we record their testimony that we investigate this to the full [3:16:49] extent and we are committed every day to working alongside the survivors to ensure that they are [3:16:56] protected to the best of our abilities hi everyone yasmin ansari congresswoman from arizona's third [3:17:05] district i was a child just a few years younger than many of the women who testified today when jeffrey [3:17:12] epstein was carrying out his heinous crimes right here in west palm beach these women were girls at the [3:17:19] time over 1 000 girls girls who should have been protected but girls who were failed by adults by [3:17:27] institutions and by their government and what happened here in west palm beach and across the country and [3:17:34] across the world was not simply just about the evil of one man it was a systemic failure that was shaped [3:17:42] by inequality by influence and by impunity all of this has been exacerbated by the most corrupt [3:17:51] administration in american history carrying out the most egregious cover-up in american history and [3:17:59] this systemic failure requires systemic solutions in the minority oversight democrats led by ranking member [3:18:08] garcia have forced everything that has gotten us to this point today we would not be here if it were not [3:18:16] for democrats on the oversight committee pushing every subpoena pushing for these depositions pushing [3:18:22] for these transcribed interviews pushing for pam bondi to come before the oversight committee this has [3:18:28] been an egregious cover-up by the trump administration but also a complete abdication of responsibility [3:18:35] by republicans on the oversight committee barring a few and by republican chairman james comer and we will [3:18:42] continue whether now or when we are in the majority to make sure that every single person who enabled [3:18:51] who perpetrated or who covered up these heinous crimes will be held accountable and we know from what we [3:18:58] heard from the women today and we've known this it's in the files that there are rich and powerful men [3:19:05] out there right now continuing to live their lives without any consequences and we assure you that day [3:19:13] will end good afternoon i'm james walkenshaw from virginia's 11th district we're here today in palm [3:19:23] beach county ground zero the center the place where jeffrey epstein and galane maxwell's massive child sex [3:19:33] trafficking ring started we're just miles from mar-a-lago the place where the close friendship [3:19:40] between epstein and donald trump grew where virginia jufre was trafficked and later raped by jeffrey epstein [3:19:50] and we heard today powerful stories from survivors including rosa from uzbekistan who was recruited [3:19:56] and held hostage by the visa that epstein controlled powerful stories and i hope [3:20:06] the world was watching i specifically hope that alex acosta was watching because we learned today [3:20:13] from rosa that she was raped time after time after time by jeffrey epstein while he was serving the [3:20:25] sweetheart deal sentence that alex alex acosta gave him while he was on unsupervised very unsupervised [3:20:34] release he was continuing to commit the very crimes that women like maria farmer and others brought to [3:20:42] the attention of the fbi decades ago i hope another person was watching today i hope pam bondy was [3:20:49] watching and i hope she saw the courage of the survivors here today who told their stories in most cases [3:20:59] again in front of all the cameras with all of the bright lights for the world to see and i hope pam [3:21:07] bonnie will feel some shame for the fact that she has tried time after time after time to avoid public [3:21:15] accountability she wants to answer questions behind closed doors in private where the world can't see [3:21:23] it with no video well pam bonnie that is not good enough that is not good enough you need to show one [3:21:31] ounce of the courage that the women here today showed they deserve your public testimony on video [3:21:39] the american people deserve it too i'll go back to the ranking member thank you we're going to open [3:21:44] up for a couple of questions before i do i want to say a couple important things with the close number [3:21:49] one i hope today reminds the public that this investigation is not a hoax and it's not over [3:21:57] and that unlike todd blanche the acting ag who just a week ago said that the doj was moving on from the [3:22:05] epson investigation we understand that it is alive and well and moving forward and we have a lot of work to do [3:22:12] ahead of us and the second thing is for this community it's important for the folks of palm beach [3:22:19] county palm beach west palm beach to understand and to know that there's a lot of folks that worked for [3:22:25] law enforcement that were lawyers involved in this case there were investigators or that have heard [3:22:31] stories or know information or evidence that we want to access so i encourage anyone from the palm beach [3:22:39] community that we have information about jeffrey epstein galane maxwell the crimes or the cover-ups [3:22:46] that happened to please contact the oversight committee we have a protected system a whistleblower system [3:22:54] that we encourage you to please access if you have information that could help us in our investigation [3:22:58] and with that i'll open it up for any questions look we're working right now through a list of additional [3:23:19] subpoenas that we want to get through some we're communicating directly with the majority on so we're waiting to see [3:23:25] if they move on those or not but i think it's it's safe to say that we're interested in speaking [3:23:30] to anyone that was involved particularly prosecutors that were involved in making recommendations about [3:23:36] the sweetheart deal what happened here in palm beach and more broadly in some of the other cases that were [3:23:41] brought forward to the government that's one piece of folks we want to speak to we also have [3:23:45] additional questions for other folks that we believe were involved in assisting jeffrey epson and galane [3:23:49] maxwell some of those you and i discussed earlier but we're not at this moment ready to release [3:23:54] additional names so let me just i mean let me add um one is obviously as survivors we're never going [3:24:27] to force a survivor to be compelled to speak in front of the committee but any survivor that wants [3:24:31] to speak and have the opportunity absolutely and we definitely have additional questions for folks [3:24:35] that we've talked to i'll take alex acosta as a very good example we'll definitely have additional [3:24:40] questions as far as members from our party we have been a non-partisan in our approach we don't care [3:24:45] if you're a republican or democrat we'll talk to you and i think we said earlier that we have additional [3:24:49] questions i want to understand why merrick garland in the former justice department under the [3:24:53] biden administration did little to nothing to bring justice for the survivors or have additional [3:24:57] prosecutions and so merrick garland for me is at the top of that list of folks that we need to speak [3:25:02] to and ask questions of and and there i think there are a variety of other folks and if anyone else [3:25:07] wants to add to that there's a variety of other folks we want to speak with yes yes representative garcia [3:25:12] i mean i i put the blame squarely on former attorney general pam bondy for that she has had a [3:25:56] direct hand in this cover-up from the beginning not only did they move slowly but they were sloppy we [3:26:02] heard from survivors as you mentioned that you know their lives have been destroyed while names of [3:26:09] men and co-conspirators who committed the crimes were not were redacted so i think that there needs [3:26:15] to be a nor that's why we need to hear from pam bondy at the end of this month under oath on camera [3:26:21] in front of the american people because she is to blame for this and there should be i believe [3:26:27] accountability for her and for what she did here she has ruined lives i mean we heard such devastating [3:26:33] stories today about people's children hearing these you know these stories for the first time you know [3:26:38] women whose details of their sexual assault and abuse was revealed because of the botching of this [3:26:43] files the law was very clear that any personally identifiable information as it pertains to survivors [3:26:50] should have been redacted this is not an accident the department of justice chose to do this because [3:26:55] they want to silence people they want this to go away donald trump has made that abundantly clear [3:27:01] he's directed his staff to make sure that happens and i believe that the reason these mistakes [3:27:08] were made was again not an accident and at the direction of of pam bondy yeah go ahead and moreover [3:27:15] i would just say that what this proves um the fact that um you know none of our republican colleagues [3:27:19] are here today for democrats this is not a a midterm campaign strategy this is not about political [3:27:27] gamesmanship or or upsmanship um but clearly for them fighting for the uh just naming the epstein files [3:27:35] in their campaigning the epstein files by the way are real people these are real people's lives right [3:27:42] that was just purely political for them you know as get as proven by their obstruction and by their [3:27:49] uh defiance in their unwillingness to comply with uh legally binding subpoenas and then finally i would [3:27:58] just say something that really just stayed with me today there have been so many instances of insult to [3:28:04] injury not only were vile acts committed by this vermin in their predator pedophile ponzi scheme that is a [3:28:15] lifetime sentence for these survivors this trauma is showing up and manifesting in in in their way in [3:28:22] their in their lives in so many ways but it is insult to injury that there was an institutional betrayal by [3:28:28] law enforcement by the department of justice and now today by house republicans and their rights were not [3:28:37] honored in the crime victims rights act and the fact as congresswoman randall speaks to that their names [3:28:44] have been unredacted that was some of the most devastating testimony here today this insult to injury [3:28:53] and in the words of virginia juffray we need to know who the monsters are we need to follow every [3:29:00] single road we don't care if they're democrat republican independent what state they live in what their job [3:29:07] is if they're a politician if they're a president or if even they are a prince we will follow all roads [3:29:14] because this is not political for us this is deeply personal this is about these survivors and their [3:29:20] families and every monster in the words of virginia juffray needs to be named and shamed because they [3:29:26] could still be out there committing these evil vile acts last question what i can say is that we have [3:29:43] invited some former florida officials to testify voluntarily that has yet to happen and so we are [3:29:53] prepared to compel testimony in the future that's something that we're looking at right now thank you very [3:29:59] much