Jeffries, D-N.Y., responded Wednesday, telling reporters he was unaware of any outreach to Epstein and dismissing Comer’s statement as false. “I have no idea what James Comer is talking about in terms of anything that any prior consultant may have sent,” he said. “He’s a stone cold liar, and James Comer knows it.” Jeffries added he had “never had a conversation with him, never met him, [and] know nothing about him other than the extreme things that he’s been convicted of doing.”
The 2013 email described Jeffries as “one of the rising stars in the New York Congressional delegation” and a “staunch supporter of President Obama.” It said Jeffries was “committed to electing a Democratic majority in 2014” and was encouraging friends to participate in the fundraising dinner. Directions were provided for recipients who wanted either to attend the event or “get an opportunity to get to know Hakeem better.” The message included a profile of Jeffries from local television outlet NY1 and was signed by Darren Rigger, Lisa Rossi and Walter Swett of Dynamic SRG.
Dynamic SRG did not respond to a request for comment about whether Jeffries approved or knew of the solicitation. ABC News, which first published excerpts of the email, reported it could find no record of Epstein donating to Jeffries or to any committee affiliated with him. No charges or ethics inquiries against Jeffries are known to have arisen from the matter.
Comer’s office maintained that the email, obtained through a subpoena issued to the Epstein estate, “speaks for itself.” A spokesperson said, “Hakeem’s fundraisers made a solicitation on his behalf to invite Jeffrey Epstein to a dinner or meet with him privately.”
The exchange comes as the House moves forward on legislation requiring federal agencies to release additional files related to Epstein’s activities. The bill passed overwhelmingly Tuesday, with only one member voting against it. Backers say the measure aims to provide transparency about Epstein’s network and activities leading up to his 2019 arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges and subsequent death in custody.
Imagem: Internet
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor, serving 13 months in a work-release program. He registered as a sex offender in 2010. Detailed background on his prior conviction is available through the U.S. Department of Justice.
Jeffries also accused Republicans of delaying broader disclosure of Epstein-related materials. “They have been burying the Epstein files for months,” he said, without elaborating on which documents he believes are being withheld.
The Oversight Committee has been examining communications between Epstein and various political figures as part of its ongoing investigation. Previous document releases have included flight logs, visitor lists and correspondence with prominent business leaders. The 2013 fundraising email is the first reference linking Jeffries to Epstein, though its context remains limited to a single solicitation.
Comer’s claim adds a political dimension to the bipartisan drive to make Epstein records public. Jeffries, who leads House Democrats, is a frequent critic of the Oversight chair, while Comer has used his committee’s subpoena power to investigate both Democratic officials and private citizens with alleged ties to Epstein.
At Wednesday’s news conference, Jeffries declined to specify whether he would take legal or ethics action over Comer’s remarks. He reiterated that no meeting or financial contribution occurred and said his focus remains on passing the Epstein files bill and avoiding a government shutdown.
Crédito da imagem: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
