House Oversight report details prosecutorial failures in Epstein case
The committee names two former federal prosecutors with potential conflicts of interest and urges the Justice Department to look further at more individuals.
The House Oversight Committee released a report concluding that prosecutorial failures, preferential treatment and institutional negligence allowed Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to keep abusing young women and girls for years. The investigation was led by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky. The report identified former prosecutor Matthew Menchel, who recommended a non-prosecution agreement for Epstein and previously had a romantic relationship with attorney Lilly Ann Sanchez, who later represented Epstein. Menchel denied skiing with Epstein but did not deny meeting him after leaving the U.S. Attorney's Office. His attorneys said he was not responsible for the final plea agreement. A 2020 Justice Department report found he failed to disclose the relationship but found no evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. The committee also reviewed former prosecutor Bruce Reinhart's private practice, which later represented Epstein associates. The committee urged the Justice Department to investigate further former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai after testimony from former Epstein assistant Sarah Kellen. Both men have denied the allegations.
Key points
- Committee cites prosecutorial failures and preferential treatment
- Two former federal prosecutors flagged for potential conflicts
- Justice Department urged to investigate Philip Levine and Frédéric Fekkai further
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