A Republican-led House committee has referred two men to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution following testimony from a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. The House Oversight Committee identified former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai as the first names to emerge from its investigation into the federal government's handling of the Epstein case.
The referral follows a closed-door interview with Epstein's former assistant Sarah Kellen on May 21. Committee Chair James Comer said Kellen provided new information about the 'horrific abuse she endured for years' involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Comer stated that the allegations of criminal misconduct are now with the Justice Department, which has the tools to investigate.
In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Comer and four other Republicans urged the department to use all available tools, including witness immunity, to probe Kellen's claims. According to a transcript of her testimony, Kellen accused Levine and Fekkai of sexually assaulting her in separate incidents. Levine's name appears over 600 times in Epstein-related documents, while Comer's letter described Fekkai as a 'close friend' of Epstein who played a role in grooming women.
A representative for Levine denied the allegation, stating that he had a brief consensual encounter with another adult nearly 25 years ago. The Independent could not reach Fekkai for comment. Neither man has been charged with any crime related to Epstein, and inclusion in the Epstein files does not imply wrongdoing.
Kellen also accused French photographer Patrick Demarchelier of exposing himself to her; he died in 2022. She was among four potential co-conspirators named in Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement. In her opening statement, Kellen said Epstein sexually and psychologically abused her for over a decade, describing him as 'terrifying' and 'completely dominating.'
Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on trafficking charges. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking and conspiracy.
