Jeffrey Epstein maintained close relationships with high-profile individuals, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as part of a calculated effort to shield himself from legal scrutiny, according to testimony from his longtime aide. Lesley Groff, who served as Epstein’s executive assistant from 2001 to 2019, told a US congressional oversight committee that these connections were central to a deliberate scheme to protect the financier following his 2008 conviction for child sex offenses.

Speaking under oath during a closed-door hearing earlier this month, Groff said she observed Epstein’s continued association with wealthy and powerful figures even after his conviction. She stated, “I know now that everything he did was a scheme intended to protect himself.” A full transcript of her testimony was made public last week.

Members of the committee questioned Groff about Epstein's relationships with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, his former wife Sarah Ferguson, and Peter Mandelson, a former British cabinet minister and ambassador to the United States. Groff denied knowledge of Epstein providing monetary gifts to Ferguson or Mandelson or arranging massages for Andrew. She also stated she was unaware of any sexual misconduct by Mountbatten-Windsor involving minors introduced by Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.

Documents show that Ferguson visited Epstein twice during his work release from a Florida prison, where he served an 18-month sentence related to procuring a minor for prostitution. Following her first visit in 2009, Ferguson sent Epstein an email expressing gratitude and admiration, calling him “a legend” and thanking him for “looking after me so well.”

British police are investigating Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office connected to their relationships with Epstein. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

Groff, who managed daily arrangements for Epstein including massages and travel accommodations for women who later accused him of abuse, was at one point named as a potential co-conspirator. However, she told the committee that the US Department of Justice cleared her of any involvement after an interview in 2019.