Lesley Groff

Groff was questioned for approximately eight hours by the House Oversight Committee. She acknowledged scheduling duties but denied meeting the masseuses, knowing their ages, knowing that minors visited Epstein or understanding that massages could be sexualised. Lawmakers publicly described some answers as difficult to believe.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is a witness

Six survivors interviewed by CNN disputed several answers Groff gave to Congress. They claimed to have met her, discussed their ages with her or been paid directly by her, contrary to some of her answers. The House Oversight Committee began comparing her transcript with available evidence and discussed receiving sworn statements from survivors.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

Jennifer Araoz and other claimants or witnesses accused Groff of arranging appointments, travel or contacts linked to Epstein's abuse. Publicly released FBI files also record testimony from a former minor who believed Groff knew the appointments were sexual and claimed to have told her that she was under 18.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following Epstein's arrest in July 2019, the FBI and SDNY met Groff and her lawyers in a reverse proffer; the DOJ then included her among those being considered as possible co-conspirators. In September 2021, she participated in a lengthy proffer interview with agents and prosecutors.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Lesley Groff worked in New York as Jeffrey Epstein's secretary and executive assistant from 2001 until his arrest in July 2019, handling calls, diaries, travel, meetings and communications. Epstein described her as an "extension" of his brain, illustrating her central role in his daily organisation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following Epstein's conviction in Florida and imprisonment, Groff continued working for him for more than a decade. She acknowledged booking travel for women who later alleged abuse and continued managing his professional organisation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and federal prosecutors in Florida expressly named Lesley Groff among the "potential co-conspirators" against whom charges arising from the investigation would not be brought if Epstein complied with the agreement.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A draft federal plea proffer from 2007 states that FBI agents went to Groff's home to serve a grand jury subpoena and that she telephoned Epstein while they were present. Before Congress in 2026, Groff recounted that after the agents arrived, she called Epstein's in-house lawyer and followed his advice not to continue the interview without a lawyer.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is a witness

Groff acknowledged arranging numerous massages at Epstein's request and, according to her testimony, sometimes asking the accounting department to send approximately $200 in cash by courier or driver. DOJ files and subsequent testimonies also link her to booking travel for women who later reported being Epstein's victims.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated