House Oversight Committee Interview of Sarah Kellen
Snapshot
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted a transcribed interview of Sarah Kellen on May 21, 2026, as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, sex trafficking networks, federal government responses, and potential failures of law enforcement and oversight.
The interview represents one of the most significant public statements ever made by Kellen regarding her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. During her opening statement, Kellen described herself as a victim of sexual abuse, coercive control, psychological manipulation, and grooming. She rejected public portrayals of her as a powerful participant in Epstein’s operation and instead described herself as someone who was exploited and controlled for more than a decade.
Document Information
Document Type: Congressional Interview Transcript
Witness: Sarah Kellen
Date: May 21, 2026
Committee: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Status: Voluntary Interview
Primary Subjects:
- Jeffrey Epstein
- Ghislaine Maxwell
- Sex trafficking operations
- Victimization and coercive control
- Federal Non Prosecution Agreement
- Law enforcement interactions
- Survivor testimony
Why This Transcript Matters
For years, Sarah Kellen has been publicly identified as one of Jeffrey Epstein’s closest assistants and has frequently been portrayed as a participant in his trafficking network.
This transcript provides Kellen’s most extensive public account to date and presents a dramatically different narrative. Throughout her testimony, she portrays herself as a victim who was recruited, groomed, sexually abused, psychologically manipulated, financially controlled, and isolated by Epstein and Maxwell.
The interview may significantly impact future discussions regarding Kellen’s role within Epstein’s organization and raises new questions regarding victimization, coercive control, prosecutorial decisions, and the 2007 Federal Non Prosecution Agreement.
Opening Statement
Kellen opened her testimony by describing years of abuse that she says began after she entered Epstein’s orbit.
She stated that Epstein groomed, sexually abused, psychologically abused, manipulated, controlled, and dominated her for more than a decade. According to Kellen, the experience left her unable to distinguish her own thoughts from those imposed by Epstein through years of coercive control.
Kellen described her life before meeting Epstein, including growing up in a Jehovah’s Witness community, being groomed by an older man as a teenager, marrying young, and later becoming isolated from her family and support network after being disfellowshipped from the church.
She stated that these circumstances left her vulnerable to exploitation and made her an ideal target for predators.
Allegations Against Jeffrey Epstein
Kellen testified that Epstein first assaulted her after she began working for him.
According to her statement, Epstein subjected her to repeated sexual abuse over many years while she worked as his assistant. She alleged that abuse occurred in multiple locations, including Little Saint James, Palm Beach, New York, and other properties associated with Epstein.
Kellen described instances of coercion, intimidation, unwanted sexual contact, rape, sleep deprivation, and psychological manipulation. She testified that her employment became tied to continued submission to Epstein’s abuse.
She also alleged that abuse continued even during the period when Epstein was serving his Florida jail sentence.
Claims Regarding Ghislaine Maxwell
Kellen testified that Ghislaine Maxwell exercised extensive control over her life and work.
According to Kellen, Maxwell referred to her as a “slave” and “minion” and expected complete obedience. Kellen rejected media descriptions portraying her as Maxwell’s lieutenant and instead characterized herself as someone with no meaningful authority or decision making power.
She testified that she was expected to serve both Epstein and Maxwell continuously and had little ability to leave the situation without risking homelessness, financial collapse, or retaliation.
Law Enforcement and the Non Prosecution Agreement
One of the most significant portions of the testimony concerns Kellen’s discussion of federal law enforcement.
Kellen testified that she was named as a coconspirator in Epstein’s 2007 Federal Non Prosecution Agreement despite never being interviewed by investigators beforehand. She stated that no law enforcement agency contacted her, asked for her account, or attempted to understand her circumstances before her inclusion in the agreement.
Kellen described this as a major injustice that continued to affect her life long after leaving Epstein’s organization.
International Travel and High Profile Contacts
Kellen testified that she traveled extensively with Epstein and Maxwell.
She described being present during meetings, events, and travel involving prominent political figures, royalty, business leaders, and international officials. Names referenced during her opening statement included Fidel Castro, President Bill Clinton, the Sultan of Brunei, Princess Beatrice, Sheikh Mohammed, and Ehud Barak.
The transcript does not allege criminal conduct by those individuals. Their appearance in the testimony reflects Kellen’s description of the environments in which Epstein operated and the influence he appeared to wield.
Mental Health and Trauma
Kellen testified that she continues to suffer from mental health conditions that she attributes to years of abuse.
She identified:
- Major depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Complex PTSD
According to Kellen, extensive therapy has helped her understand the effects of trauma bonding, grooming, coercive control, and dissociation.
Evidence Appearances
House Oversight Committee Interview
Witness: Sarah Kellen
Date: May 21, 2026
Document Type: Congressional Interview Transcript
Topics:
- Jeffrey Epstein
- Ghislaine Maxwell
- Little Saint James
- Victimization
- Grooming
- Psychological abuse
- Federal Non Prosecution Agreement
- Law enforcement response
- International travel
Key Takeaways
- Sarah Kellen testified that she was sexually and psychologically abused by Jeffrey Epstein for more than a decade.
- Kellen rejected portrayals of herself as a powerful participant in Epstein’s operation.
- She described herself as a victim of grooming, coercive control, and psychological manipulation.
- Kellen alleged repeated sexual assaults by Epstein in multiple locations.
- She testified that Ghislaine Maxwell exercised significant control over her daily life.
- Kellen claimed she was referred to as a slave and minion by Maxwell.
- She stated that she was named in the 2007 Non Prosecution Agreement without ever being interviewed by investigators.
- Kellen testified that she feared Epstein’s influence and ability to retaliate against those who opposed him.
- She described extensive international travel with Epstein and Maxwell.
- Kellen continues to suffer from depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and complex PTSD.
- The testimony represents one of the most significant public statements she has ever made regarding Epstein and Maxwell.
- The transcript may reshape ongoing debates regarding Kellen’s role within Epstein’s organization.
Related Persons
Related Organizations
- House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- United States Department of Justice
Sources
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Interview of Sarah Kellen, May 21, 2026.