Newly released documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate show that the convicted sex offender exchanged text messages with a Democratic member of Congress during Michael Cohen’s February 2019 testimony, and that those messages may have influenced the congresswoman’s questioning of Cohen. The documents, published Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee, include copies of Epstein’s digital communications, emails, and text messages, The Washington Post reported. In the texts, Epstein appeared to be watching the hearing in real time and notified the congresswoman — whose name was redacted in the documents — that Cohen had mentioned former Trump executive assistant Rhona Graff during his testimony. At the time, Cohen was accusing Trump of racism, financial manipulation, and authorizing hush-money payments, allegations Trump denied.
Epstein texted, “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets,” misspelling Graff’s name. “RONA??” the lawmaker replied. “Quick I’m up next is that an acronym,” she wrote, indicating she was moments away from questioning Cohen. The timestamps on the messages matched the live hearing feed, and the content indicated that the texting partner was Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who served as a member of the House Oversight Committee. Plaskett declined to answer questions when reached by phone Thursday and referred inquiries to her staff. Her chief of staff, Angeline Jabbar, said she was “not in a position to confirm or not” whether Plaskett was texting with Epstein and did not respond to follow-up questions.
After the story was published Friday evening, Plaskett’s office issued a statement acknowledging she received messages from Epstein during the hearing. “During the hearing, Congresswoman Plaskett received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein,” the statement said. It added that Plaskett “welcomes information that helps her get at the truth” and highlighted her record of combating sexual assault and human trafficking. The documents show Epstein messaged Plaskett before the hearing began. At 7:55 a.m. Eastern time, Plaskett texted Epstein, “He’ll talk about his grades.” Epstein replied one minute later, “what privilege stands behind the none release of college transcripts?”
Throughout the morning, Epstein continued messaging Plaskett. At 10:02 a.m., he texted, “Great outfit.” At 10:22 a.m., he added, “You look great,” to which she replied, “Thanks!” At approximately 10:40 a.m., the broadcast showed Plaskett moving her mouth as though chewing something. At 10:41 a.m., Epstein texted, “Are you chewing.” Plaskett responded, “Not any more. Chewing interior of my mouth. Bad habit from middle school.” The messages continued throughout the hearing. At 12:50 p.m., Epstein asked, “How much longer for you.” “Hours. Go to other mtgs,” Plaskett replied.
Other messages indicate Epstein was offering input on lines of questioning. At 12:25 p.m., Epstein wrote, “Hes opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org.” “Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn,” Plaskett responded. When Plaskett questioned Cohen at 2:28 p.m., she asked about Trump associates Cohen had mentioned. “So Allen Weisselberg is the chief financial officer in The Trump Organization,” Cohen began. “You’ve got to quickly give us as many names as you can so we can get to them,” she interjected. Plaskett’s line of questioning then turned to Graff, just as Epstein had flagged. “Is Ms. Rhona, what is Ms. Rhona’s— …?” she asked. Cohen replied, “Rhona Graff is the — Mr. Trump’s executive assistant … She was — her office is directly next to his, and she’s involved in a lot that went on.”
Epstein would not be charged with federal sex-trafficking crimes until July 2019, several months after the Cohen hearing, but he was already a known convicted sex offender following his 2008 plea agreement in Florida.
