A congressional testimony has raised new allegations regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s conduct while he was detained in the Palm Beach County Stockade between 2008 and 2009.

According to former assistant Sarah Kellen, who testified before the House Oversight Committee on May 21, Epstein allegedly provided cash payments and Disney tickets to a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy in exchange for favorable treatment while in custody.The deputy was identified as Michael Fox, who retired from the sheriff’s office in 2020.

Kellen stated that she learned about the arrangement through Epstein’s former paralegal, who reportedly complained about being required to personally deliver cash and theme park tickets to jail staff.The testimony marks the first time a specific deputy has been publicly named in connection with alleged bribery tied to Epstein’s incarceration.The report also reiterates broader concerns about Epstein’s privileges while detained.

During his time at the facility, Epstein was held in a private wing and later granted work release, allowing him to leave jail for extended periods during the week.His companies reportedly paid significant overtime costs to deputies assigned to supervise him, who were instructed to refer to him as a “client.

” A former jail supervisor, Michael Gauger, acknowledged concerns about Epstein’s influence and described fears that undisclosed misconduct could have led to stricter confinement had it been exposed earlier.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office stated that previous investigations into Epstein did not uncover these allegations and that they were not examined at the time.

A prior Florida Department of Law Enforcement review in 2021 also found no wrongdoing by sheriff’s personnel, though it predates Kellen’s recent claims.Officials have indicated there are currently no plans to reopen the investigation.