Republicans urge investigation into two men accused of abuse by Epstein assistant

Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant Sarah Kellen arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House oversight committee in Washington last month. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty View image in fullscreen Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant Sarah Kellen arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House oversight committee in Washington last month. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty Republicans urge investigation into two men accused of abuse by Epstein assistant Hair stylist Frédéric Fekkai and ex-Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine accused in new testimony, lawmakers reveal Republican lawmakers have asked the Department of Justice to investigate sexual assault allegations involving two men made by Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime assistant. In a transcribed closed-door interview in late May, as part of a congressional investigation into Epstein, Sarah Kellen, one of the late sex offender’s former aides, told the House oversight and reform committee she was “sexually and psychologically abused” by him during her employment – but also alleged she was sexually assaulted by the French celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai, and by Philip Levine, the former mayor of Miami Beach, in separate incidents in the early 2000s. Hundreds of people, including dozens powerful and prominent figures , have been linked to Epstein, and named in files released by the justice department, with no evidence of wrongdoing. James Comer, the Republican who chairs the oversight panel, and four other Republican lawmakers, said Fekkai and Levine are the “first names of alleged criminal conduct” the committee has referred to the department amid the panel’s investigation into Epstein. Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in 2019, while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The lawmakers announced on Thursday that they sent a letter to Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, asking the justice department to “use all available tools, including immunity for certain witnesses, to investigate the allegations against, and any other criminal conduct committed by, Philip Levine and Frédéric Fekkai”. Neither Fekkai nor Levine have been charged with any crime related to Epstein. Both have denied any wrongdoing. “Kellen provided new information crucial to our investigation that is helping to bring transparency for the American people and accountability for survivors,” said Comer. “During her transcribed interview, the oversight committee received serious allegations of criminal misconduct involving two individuals.” “The oversight committee is not a law enforcement entity, and our role is not to determine guilt or innocence. We are referring these allegations to the Department of Justice, which has the tools to investigate criminal misconduct. We will continue to follow the facts and ensure accountability for survivors.” In the letter to Blanche, lawmakers said Levine’s name appears “over 600 times” in the Epstein files released by the justice department earlier this year,