Full Breakdown
Republican Committee Refers Two Men to DOJ Over Abuse Allegations
6/5/2026, 2:56:58 AM
Core Referral and Allegations
On June 4 2026, the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican Rep. James Comer, sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting that the Department of Justice investigate sexual-assault claims made by Jeffrey Epstein’s former assistant, Sarah Kellen. Kellen alleged that French celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai and former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine sexually assaulted her in separate incidents while she was employed by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the early 2000s.
Background: Epstein Investigation and Kellen’s Role
The referral follows the committee’s broader review of the federal government’s handling of the Epstein-Maxwell case. Kellen, who worked for Epstein from roughly 2001 to 2013, has been identified in the Justice Department’s released “Epstein files” and was previously listed as a potential co-conspirator in Epstein’s 2007 non-prosecution agreement. She testified that Epstein and Maxwell exercised pervasive control over her life, describing ongoing psychological and sexual abuse.
Key Figures
- Sarah Kellen – former personal assistant to Epstein and Maxwell, primary witness.
- James Comer – Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, author of the DOJ referral.
- Frédéric Fekkai – French celebrity hairstylist, described by Kellen as a “close friend” of Epstein.
- Philip Levine – Miami Beach mayor (2013-2017) and 2018 Florida gubernatorial candidate, alleged assailant.
- Todd Blanche – Acting Attorney General, recipient of the committee’s request.
Timeline of Developments
- 2000-2001 – Kellen first meets Fekkai in Honolulu; he later introduces her to Epstein.
- 2002-2003 – Alleged assaults by Levine occur in Saint-Tropez, France.
- May 21 2026 – Closed-door interview of Kellen before the Oversight Committee.
- June 4 2026 – Committee releases transcript and letters to DOJ, formally referring Fekkai and Levine.
Data & Statistics
- Levine’s name appears over 600 times in the released Epstein files; some sources note more than 1,000 mentions.
- Fekkai is referenced in over 3,000 entries, including numerous salon appointments linked to Epstein.
- Patrick Demarchelier, also named in the transcript, appears in approximately 36 file mentions.
Official Statements & Responses
- James Comer emphasized the committee’s investigative role, stating it “is not a law-enforcement entity” and that the DOJ “has the tools to investigate criminal misconduct.”
- Fekkai’s spokesperson, Mark Herr, asserted that “Mr Fekkai never assaulted anyone” and “did nothing wrong.”
- Levine’s spokesperson declared that “nearly a quarter-century ago, our client had a brief intimate encounter with another consenting adult. Any allegation suggesting otherwise is not true.”
- The Department of Justice has not issued a comment as of the release date.
Criticism, Opposition, and Gaps
- Both Fekkai and Levine deny the allegations, noting the absence of prior criminal charges.
- Kellen reported that no federal, state, local, or foreign law-enforcement agency contacted her from the start of her employment until July 2019, a gap the committee seeks to understand.
- Discrepancies exist regarding the frequency of Levine’s mentions (600 vs. 1,000+) and the exact year of the alleged assaults (2002 or 2003).
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kellen provided new information crucial to our investigation that is helping to bring transparency for the American people and accountability for survivors.” — James Comer
- “basically forced himself on me” — Sarah Kellen
- “He took advantage of me that night,” — Sarah Kellen
- “He was terrifying. He was completely dominating of everything in my life,” — Sarah Kellen
- “never ‘took advantage’ of Sarah Kellen and he did not introduce her to Jeffrey Epstein.” — Mark Herr, spokesperson for Frédéric Fekkai
- “Nearly a quarter century ago, our client had a brief intimate encounter with another consenting adult. Any allegation suggesting otherwise is not true.” — Spokesperson for Philip Levine
What’s Next
The DOJ’s response to the committee’s referral will determine whether formal investigations into Fekkai and Levine commence. The Oversight Committee has indicated it will monitor the DOJ’s actions and continue probing the broader network of individuals linked to the Epstein-Maxwell operation.
