Lesley Groff And The Transcript From Her Epstein Related Trip to Congress (Part 1) (7/2/26)

Summary

---

The Epstein Chronicles

Episode: Lesley Groff And The Transcript From Her Epstein Related Trip to Congress (Part 1)
Host: Bobby Capucci
Date: July 2, 2026

---

Overview

In this episode, host Bobby Capucci begins a detailed exploration of Lesley Groff’s congressional testimony regarding her role as Jeffrey Epstein’s long-time executive assistant. The discussion centers on Groff's opening statement from her appearance before Congress, where she addresses allegations and misconceptions about her involvement in Epstein’s criminal enterprise. Groff traces her career, describes her daily duties, and reflects on the circumstances of her employment, providing a rare, introspective perspective from an insider. This is the first episode in a multipart series breaking down her full testimony.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lesley Groff's Opening Statement (00:30–12:51)

• Groff’s Background and Motivation

  • Opens by expressing anxiety and trepidation about testifying:
    Quote: “I have no experience in public speaking. I’ve never testified in court. I am introverted and shy, and this is petrifying to me.” (00:35)
  • Groff voluntarily addresses the committee, defends her innocence, and wishes to dispel “the false notions that because of my employment with Epstein, I must have knowingly enabled or conspired with him to commit these evil acts.” (01:22)
  • She reveals fallout after Epstein’s arrest: sleep issues, social ostracization, harassment, and her son’s turmoil.

• Employment History and Relationship with Epstein

  • Details her hiring through a headhunter after missing an interview with the New York Knicks due to a snowstorm.
  • Groff explains her initial duties: managing Epstein’s calendar, making appointments, and fielding endless calls.
  • Reflects on the prestige and allure of Epstein’s world: “I was captivated by it... thrust into the lifestyle of the rich and famous.” (04:55)

• Office Culture and Boundaries

  • Emphasizes strict boundaries enforced by Epstein and Maxwell—she was told she was “replaceable” and warned not to associate with Epstein’s friends.
  • Notable moment: Groff attended a party at the invitation of one of Epstein's contacts; after Epstein and Maxwell discovered this, she was reprimanded and placed on probation:
    Quote: “They torched me. They told me I had crossed the line into his social life and I’d be fired. Instead, Mr. Epstein put me on probation.” (07:09)

• Physical Separation From Epstein’s World

  • She asserts she was intentionally kept separate from Epstein’s illicit conduct:
    • Never flew on his plane, attended his parties, or visited certain residences.
    • States, “In my 18 years as his secretary, I’ve been to Little St. James three times...these visits were during the day and lasted only a couple hours.” (07:56)
    • Only worked in offices, not private quarters.

• Nature of Her Work: Scheduling and Massages

  • Routine scheduling of massages was a “very small part” of job.
  • She did not meet or screen masseuses and always interacted with them briefly by phone.
  • Quote: “Hi, this is Lesley calling for Mr. Epstein. Are you available for a massage at 4?” (08:54)
  • She sometimes arranged massages for guests, including men and women, at hotels & spas—which she says seemed entirely normal in elite circles.

• Denial of Witnessing or Knowing of Abuse

  • Firmly states, “Not once did I see or hear anything illegal.” (08:29)
  • Points out that other assistants who testified to abuse, like Sarah Kellen, did not tell her of their victimization.
    • Quote (re: Sarah Kellen): “...who courageously told this committee about her sexual abuse, confirmed that she never told me of her abuse, even though we spoke with each other.” (10:28)
  • Never knew any masseuse to be underage or a victim.

• Decision Not to Leave After Epstein’s Conviction

  • Discusses being named as a potential co-conspirator in Epstein’s non-prosecution agreement, calling it a “scarlet letter.”
  • She was persuaded to stay post-2008 by Epstein and his lawyers, who claimed he was set up.
    • Quote: “He angrily said that the allegations against him were fake… It was a shakedown, he claimed, for money.” (11:20)
  • Epstein continued to be surrounded by VIPs even after his conviction, reinforcing her doubts about his guilt.
  • Groff expresses remorse for her role, but maintains she was not complicit.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being kept at arm’s length:
  “For 18 years I worked for Jekyll, but was never permitted to see the true Mr. Hyde.” —Lesley Groff (02:01)
• On boundaries:
  “Maxwell and Epstein told me that I was never to associate with their friends or contacts, or I’d be fired. Their business was none of my business and not to forget it.” (05:52)
• On her after-the-fact understanding:
  “I know now that this kindness was a facade and just part of his manipulation.” (11:52)
• On living with false accusations:
  “...what I cannot and should not live with are the false innuendos and accusations that I knowingly aided his evil conduct. And that’s why I’m here today.” (12:39)
• Emotional reflection:
  “I believe them. Words cannot express how badly I feel that I was employed by Mr. Epstein during the time he abused these women. I will live with that horrible feeling for the rest of my life.” (12:23)

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:30 — Podcast begins covering Lesley Groff’s congressional testimony
• 01:22 — Groff’s assertion of innocence and personal struggles post-2019
• 04:55 — Groff describes the allure and culture of Epstein’s social circles
• 07:09 — Recounting the disciplinary action for socializing at a party
• 08:29 — Explicit denial of witnessing any illegal activity
• 10:28 — Affirms that alleged victims like Sarah Kellen never confided in her
• 11:20 — Discussing Epstein’s manipulation and her reasons for staying after his conviction
• 12:23 — Expresses empathy for victims and her own feelings of guilt

---

Tone & Style

• Groff’s language is measured, emotional, and defensive—she is seeking to clear her name while expressing regret.
• Host Capucci maintains a direct and investigative tone, but in this episode primarily provides context, letting Groff’s transcript speak for itself.

---

Conclusion

This episode lays the foundation for a thorough, critical examination of Lesley Groff’s role within the Epstein operation, using her own words before Congress. Groff’s testimony is at once self-exonerating and reflective, providing new insights into the compartmentalization and secrecy of Epstein’s criminal network. Part 2 promises further exploration into the congressional hearing and Groff’s cross-examination.

All supporting documentation and materials can be found in the episode description.

---

Transcript

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Forget whatever plans you have this weekend because you're staying at home and playing on spinquest. And there's never been a better time to sign up than right now. New users get $30 coin packs for just $10. All the table games you love, with hundreds of slot games and real cash Prizes. That's at spinquest.com S P I N

[Spinquest Legal Disclaimer Reader]

Q U-E-S-T.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Leslie Groff]

What's up, everyone? And welcome to another episode of the Epstein Chronicles. In this episode, we're going to begin taking a look at Leslie Groff and the transcript from her appearance in front of Congress. And we're gonna skip all the swearing in and talking about, you know, the rules of engagement, if you will. We all know those now. So we're going to start with Leslie Groff and her opening statement. Ms. Groff. Okay. Good morning, chairman, ranking member and members of the committee. My name is Leslie Groff. I have no experience in public speaking. I've never testified in court. I am introverted and shy, and this is petrifying to me. So I apologize to you if my responses are awkward. Still, I'm here. I look forward to providing information to this committee voluntarily. Just as I did in 2021 when I spoke voluntarily with prosecutors in New York. I want to help you in any way that I can. I hope that it will prevent this evil conduct from ever occurring again. I believe that my testimony will dispel the false notions that because of my employment with Epstein, I must have knowingly enabled or conspired with him to commit these evil acts. Nothing could be further from the truth since Mr. Epstein's arrest in 2019. I struggle with sleep. I can't eat. Many of my friends and acquaintances have shunned me for the last seven years. My now 21 year old son's life has been in turmoil and I've been the target of harassment and death threats. I've chosen to speak with you all to tell the truth as I know it. My recollection of many things is generally poor since they occurred as far back as 25 years ago. I'll try my very best and I thank you for your patience. I want to say without any doubt that I have come to believe the man who employed me from February of 2001 through July of 2019 was a monster. For 18 years I worked for Jekyll, but was never permitted to see the true Mr. Hyde. Mr. Epstein was, in hindsight A master manipulator and deceiver who separated his legitimate life from his secret life as an abuser and made sure that as his secretary, those two worlds did not collide. I had every reason not, excuse me, had every reason not to tell me about his crimes. He had no leverage on me. I was not like Sarah Kellen, whose testimony just broke my heart. Sexually abused by Epstein. I didn't need the job. Our family was financially secure. Most importantly, I would have never sat silent if I knew of his crimes. Mr. Epstein used me and intentionally kept me on the outside of his perverted life. He did not know me when I was hired. It was nonsensical for him to confide in me, a total stranger, or allow me to learn that he was abusing women. Now let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born in Dallas and raised in a Protestant home in Plano. I graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas. I moved to Jersey in 90 and married my first husband in 93. I worked at his office supply company. I then worked as a salesperson at Nordstrom's. After my divorce, I met my husband, Ike. I decided I wanted to be an event planner. So I posted my resume on monster.com I was contacted by a headhunter about a job with the New York Knicks. Unfortunately, I missed the interview because of snowstorm in Manhattan that same day. The headhunter asked if I was interested in working for a wealthy businessman and as an administrative assistant to keep his very busy life organized. That same day, I interviewed at the Helmsley palace with Glenn Maxwell and then Mr. Epstein. They explained to me that I'd be with Mr. Epstein, his executive assistant secretary, organizing his calendar, making appointments and dealing with his endless calls. I could tell this was an office environment that looked exciting, challenging and and attractive to me. About a week later, I accepted the job at a salary of 50,000. From 2001 to 2009, I worked exclusively out of Helmsley Palace. When I began Working for Mr. Epstein, I was 35 years old. I was trained by Redacted, the woman I was replacing. Redacted explained that I would be inundated with calls, scheduling and coordinating his staff to make sure that they fulfilled his often demanding work requests. For example, making sure that he had reading glasses at every table at every one of his homes and offices. Or sourcing very late in the day a dozen chocolate croissants made in New York to be delivered to Palm beach by 9 the next morning. Ms. Maxwell redacted and other staff also told me that Mr. Epstein's day included a morning muffin, a private yoga lesson, and a massage for me. Many of his routines were luxuries, but everyone treated them as normal, and I was expected to arrange them as part of my job. I was astonished by the truly impressive people in his circle. Past presidents, military leaders, former politicians, foreign dignitaries, actors, musicians, scientists, authors, mathematicians, university professors, inventors, titans of business models, fashion designers and philanthropists. It was a world I had no experience with, and I was captivated by it. I actually felt lucky to have found such an amazing job. I was thrust into the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Mr. Epstein's directive for a massage was just another small part of the elite world I was not from and was a very small part of what was demanded from me on a daily basis. From day one, Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell established guardrails. They made it very clear to me that I was a replaceable employee. Maxwell and Epstein told me that I was never to associate with their friends or contacts or I'd be fired. The people I spoke with in my job were their friends and colleagues, not mine. Their business was none of my business and not to forget it. If I messed up an appointment, I could be fired. Frequently, Mr. Epstein yelled at me to the point of tears when I made an error with an appointment.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

You.

[Leslie Groff]

He screamed that I ruined his day and that the time lost could never be replaced. I recall that weeks after I was hired, one of Mr. Epstein's contacts invited me to attend a party with my husband in New York City the next workday. Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell, who are not at the party, somehow found out that I had attended and they torched me. They told me I had crossed the line into his social life and I'd be fired. Instead, Mr. Epstein put me on probation. He ordered me to completely separate myself from his personal world. In hindsight, I wish he had fired me. Since that time, 25 years ago, I've never socialized with Mr. Epstein or Ms. Maxwell. I've never been on his airplane. I've never been to one of his parties. I never visited him in jail after he was convicted in 2008 or after he was arrested in 2018. I never accompanied him to Little St. James or Azorro Ranch or to his Palm beach residence. In fact, in my 18 years as his secretary, I've been to Little St. James three times. Once with my husband and twice for work to view construction projects. These visits were during the day and lasted only a couple hours. I stayed at his Paris guest apartment, once with my husband. Mr. Epstein was not there. From 2001 to 2009, I worked exclusively at Helmsley Palace. When you entered the reception area, my office was located in the rear of the suite and I could not see who entered or exited. Visitors were able to enter and leave Mr. Epstein's office through a separate entrance without seeing them, without me seeing them. In 2009, the offices moved to 66th street, then to 575 Lexington Avenue, and then around 2013 to his mansion on 71st Street. Not once did I see or hear anything illegal. Every morning, Mr. Epstein called me at 9am with literally dozens of matters for me to complete that day. I had no free time. I went from task to task. I had two phones on my desk ringing constantly, almost daily. I made a massage appointment for Mr. Epstein. He provided me the name and telephone number of a masseuse and I called her. These calls lasted literally a few seconds. Hi, this is Leslie calling for Mr. Epstein. Are you available for a massage at 4? Sometimes masseuse called the office and asked if Mr. Epstein wanted a massage.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

You know what? It sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real casino games on spinquest.com, the time flies by. That two hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite slots, Live blackjack, live craps with a live dealer. New players. $30 coin packs are on sale for 10 bucks. Play spinquest.com and you'll never be bored again.

[Spinquest Legal Disclaimer Reader]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Leslie Groff]

On occasion, Mr. Epstein directed me to arrange massages for his guests, both men and women, at hotels and spas. To me, the few minutes it took to arrange massages for Mr. Epstein were just part of his routine, like going to the gym for some people. From 2001 to about 2013, I never stepped foot in the mansion, nor have I ever been in the private quarters of his home, including where the massage took place. I've never seen photos of nude women there. From in or about 2005-2007, when I became pregnant and gave birth to my son, I was rarely at the office. I had a job sharing agreement with Redacted, who had also just given birth. And I work from home at least two days a week. I only came into the office on the rare occasion when Mr. Epstein was there. It's important for the committee to understand that to my knowledge, I never met any of these masseuses. None of these women or anyone else ever told me that they were minors or that they were sexually abused. Nothing I heard or saw led me to believe otherwise. Even Sarah Kellen was, who courageously told this committee about her sexual abuse, confirmed that she never told me of her abuse, even though we spoke with each other. Finally, I wish to address why I did not leave Epstein's employ after his arrest in 2008. My experience in that regard was similar to Ms. Kellen's and others like Sarah. It was not until sometime after Mr. Epstein's conviction that I learned the government and Mr. Epstein's lawyers had included me and others and in the non prosecution agreement as potential co conspirators. I'm not a conspirator and I never would have agreed to that language. Their unilateral decision to label me as a potential conspirator remains my scarlet letter. After his arrest in 2008, Epstein lied to me and insisted that he had been blackmailed and set up. His attorney told me the same thing. He angrily said that the allegations against him were fake and he had no idea that the women he had contact with was a minor. It was a shakedown, he claimed for money. In my mind, there was a reason that he was treated so leniently by law enforcement for such a serious crime. Although I consider resigning, Epstein convinced me to remain. He played on my loyal nature. I actually believed that he had been set up. I believed that he could be kind and generous and caring being because of the way he often treated me and others. I know now that this kindness was a facade and just part of his manipulation. I also saw the VIPs continue to surround Epstein after his conviction. I know now that everything he did was a scheme intended to protect himself. Members of the committee. My heart breaks for these women. I believe them. Words cannot express how badly I feel that I was employed by Mr. Epstein to during the time he abused these women. I will live with that horrible feeling for the rest of my life. But what I cannot and should not live with are the false innuendos and accusations that I knowingly aided is evil conduct. And that's why I'm here today. Thank you. Alright folks, we're gonna wrap up right here. And in the next episode dealing with the topic, we're gonna pick up where we left off. All the information that goes with this episode can be found in the description box.

[Spinquest Advertiser]

Hanging out at the pool is great. Relaxing and playing Vegas style games on my phone at the same time. Drink in one hand and a blackjack in the other. It's all at Spinquest. Over a thousand games, including your favorite slots and table games. Be cool with this summer special new players get $30 coin packs for [e-mail]

[Spinquest Legal Disclaimer Reader]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.