Marina Lacerda, 37, who was known for years as “Minor Victim-1” in the Jeffrey Epstein case, has called on House Republicans to release all remaining files related to the disgraced financier. Speaking after a fresh batch of documents was made public, she said transparency would help survivors find closure.
Lacerda, who waived her anonymity in September, described being groomed and abused by Epstein from the age of 14. Recruited in 2002 to give massages at his New York townhouse, she said the abuse escalated quickly, with Epstein using her financial and immigration troubles to control her. “He always told me that he owned the government, he owned the banks, he owned everything,” she recalled.
The survivor also addressed an email suggesting Donald Trump was aware of Epstein’s conduct, which Trump dismissed as a “hoax”. Lacerda said the comment had only empowered survivors. “Why not let [the files] out? … It’s making him really look bad,” she said, urging the president to release the rest of the documents.
Lacerda’s evidence was described as crucial in the 2019 case against Epstein, who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. She now hopes the release of files will lead to further justice. “We care about having transparency and bringing all the men to justice,” she said.
