The House Oversight Committee is scheduled to conduct a closed-door interview with Sarah Kellen, a former personal assistant to Jeffrey Epstein, on Thursday. The interview is part of the committee's ongoing inquiry into how federal agencies handled investigations into the late sex offender.

Kellen, 46, has previously been the subject of criminal investigations but has never been charged. This lack of charges is reportedly due, in part, to her own allegations of persistent sexual abuse by Epstein, according to court documents and records released by the Justice Department earlier this year.

According to her attorneys, Kellen's life was heavily controlled by Epstein, who allegedly dominated her psychologically, emotionally bullied and coerced her, and required her to submit to his constant sexual abuse. These details were outlined in a civil complaint filed against Epstein's estate in 2020.

Kellen's testimony comes as the committee intensifies its investigation, launched in February of last year. Other significant witnesses expected in the coming months include Epstein's longtime executive assistant Leslie Groff, former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Goldman Sachs chief counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, and billionaires Bill Gates and Leon Black. Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) has stated that a report on the findings will be produced by the end of the year.

Following Epstein's death in custody in July 2019, federal prosecutors in New York engaged in discussions with Kellen and her attorneys for over a year regarding potential collaborators. Documents released by the Department of Justice included internal assessments of a potential case against Kellen and correspondence from her lawyers seeking to prevent charges.

An attorney for Kellen argued in the spring of 2020 that a non-prosecution agreement would be appropriate, citing Kellen's own abuse by Epstein and viewing her as a victim acting entirely at his direction. The government acknowledged that Kellen was a victim of abuse, noting consistency with accounts from other individuals who worked for Epstein and allegedly experienced sexual exploitation.

DOJ records indicate that prosecutors detailed in a proposed statement of facts sent to Kellen's attorneys in late 2020 that several minor victims reported being paid by Epstein for sexualized massages while underage, including during sessions Kellen had scheduled. Kellen herself conceded that Epstein directed her to schedule his daily massages in the early 2000s when he was at his Palm Beach, Florida residence.

The committee's focus on Kellen and other associates of Epstein aims to scrutinize the government's response to allegations surrounding the financier and identify any potential systemic failures or complicity.