US lawmakers urge new Epstein investigations in damning report

In a damning report, US lawmakers urged for fresh criminal investigations into associates of infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, blaming prosecutors, financial institutions, and influential connections for allowing his abuse to persist for years. The investigation, conducted over 15 months, links prosecutors, financial institutions, and powerful connections to Epstein's exploitation.

The report highlights that Epstein's crimes after 2005 could have been prevented if federal investigators had pursued allegations more aggressively. Epstein, who was friends with President Donald Trump, has denied any awareness of his crimes. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee called on the Justice Department to interview key witnesses and pursue allegations against former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine and French celebrity hairstylist Frederic Fekkai, who both deny sexual assault allegations.

The report also urges questioning of another longtime Epstein assistant, Lesley Groff, regarding her potential knowledge of his crimes. The probe found that Epstein's crimes could have been prevented if prosecutors had pursued the initial allegations more forcefully. Epstein pleaded guilty to lesser state offenses in 2007, serving 13 months out of an 18-month sentence, during which he continued abusing women.

The report also criticized financial institutions for overlooking suspicious transactions and warning signs of human trafficking, particularly American Express. Lawmakers demanded the Treasury Department examine if banks were reporting suspicious activity related to trafficking and money laundering. Democrats, who took control of Congress in recent midterm elections, vowed to continue investigating Epstein's network upon assuming their new roles in January.