Several House Republicans are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate claims of sexual misconduct linked to Jeffrey Epstein, made by Epstein’s former assistant, Sarah Kellen. Last month, during a transcribed interview with the Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of its ongoing Epstein investigation, Kellen disclosed that she was victimized within Epstein’s criminal network.

In her testimony, Kellen named celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine as individuals who allegedly abused her. She accused Fekkai of introducing her to Epstein under the pretense that Epstein was scouting models for Victoria’s Secret. Regarding Levine, she described an incident that the former mayor has since dismissed as a consensual encounter nearly twenty-five years ago.

The committee, led by Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), has officially requested the DOJ to deploy all available investigative tools, including witness immunity, to thoroughly probe the allegations against Levine and Fekkai. The request was detailed in a letter submitted to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the investigation.

The DOJ has yet to respond to the committee's request. Similarly, attempts to reach representatives for Fekkai for comment have remained unanswered. Levine, through a spokesperson, has categorically denied Kellen's allegations, affirming that any claims beyond the described consensual interaction are false.

Documents from the so-called Epstein files reveal that Levine's name appears hundreds of times, raising questions about his connections to Epstein. Furthermore, the committee's letter highlighted that Fekkai was alleged to have frequently provided salon services to women at Epstein's behest.

The lawmakers also expressed concern over the apparent oversight in the federal handling of the Epstein case, particularly why Kellen was not contacted by law enforcement prior to the 2019 charges against Epstein. This inquiry forms part of a broader examination into the federal government’s management of the Epstein and Maxwell cases, where only Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted and is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking operations.

As global arrests continue to target Epstein’s associates, U.S. lawmakers are increasingly pressured to ensure justice is served comprehensively, though building new prosecutable evidence remains a formidable challenge.