“Make Sure This Never Happens Again”: Survivors Demand Arrests of Epstein Associates at Palm Beach Hearing

On May 12, Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee organized a hearing in West Palm Beach to discuss the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Several victims of the convicted s– offender appeared to testify.

In emotional statements, the survivors called for arrests of Epstein’s associates and further probe into his s-- trafficking ring. The women also discussed the Department of Justice’s release of the Epstein files, some of which exposed the victims’ identities.

One of the survivors, Maria Farmer, said crucial documents are still missing from the released files. She said, “The full extent of what I told the FBI was not in that document, so the release of the Epstein files provides only partial relief for me. Where is the evidence I provided of my s—-- assault?...Why won't the FBI release my full report?”

Courtney Wild, who was assaulted by Epstein at his Palm Beach mansion when she was 14-years-old, also appeared to testify. She said, “I came here today to ask for one simple thing. To make sure this never happens again."

During the hearing, Democrats discussed Epstein’s 2008 non-prosecution agreement. According to the agreement, the financier was granted federal immunity after he pleaded guilty to two counts of solicitation of prostitution of a minor. He served 13 months in jail despite the severity of the crimes.

Experts say that, since he had immunity, Epstein continued to abuse victims and built an international trafficking ring. Wild said the agreement impacted her case and said, “In 2019, a federal judge ruled that my rights were violated by the non-prosecution agreement, but there was nothing that could be done about it. There was no remedy.”

Another survivor, who identified herself as Roza, said her name was left unredacted in the Epstein files, which has upended her life. She said, “My name was exposed to the world. Now reporters from across the globe contact me. I cannot live without looking over my shoulder. I can only imagine the long-term impact this ‘mistake’ will have on my life."

Democrats emphasized that they organized the hearing in Palm Beach because Epstein abused numerous victims at his mansion in the town. They described the town as the ‘scene of the crime.’ Additionally, party leaders urged the president not to grant clemency to Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence.

California rep. Robert Garcia said, “We’re here because so much of this investigation brings us back to this location. We know that the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the horrible things that happened to so many women and girls, totalling 1,200, could have been stopped and halted."

The family of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most vocal accusers, was also present. Giuffre was recruited by Maxwell in 2002 at the age of 16 while she worked as a spa locker room attendant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. She died by suicide in April 2025.