Explosive Texts and Questions of Influence

WASHINGTON D.C. – Newly released documents from the estate of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reveal he was in real-time communication with a United States lawmaker during a high-stakes congressional hearing in 2019, and may have influenced the member's line of questioning. The records, part of a more than 20,000-page trove released by the U.S. House Oversight Committee, suggest a stark example of attempted covert influence at the highest levels of American politics.

An analysis by The Washington Post, matching message timestamps with live video of the February 27, 2019, hearing, identified the lawmaker as Stacey Plaskett, the non-voting Democratic delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The hearing featured explosive testimony from Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to then-President Donald Trump, regarding allegations of financial fraud and hush-money payments.

The Hearing and The ‘Keeper of the Secrets’

During the televised hearing of the House Oversight Committee, Epstein appeared to be watching closely and feeding information to Plaskett. In one exchange, Epstein texted, “Cohen brought up RONA - keeper of the secrets,” misspelling the first name of Rhona Graff, a long-serving executive assistant at the Trump Organization. Graff was widely known as a key gatekeeper for Donald Trump.

The lawmaker, identified as Plaskett, responded, “RONA?? Quick I’m up next is that an acronym”. Epstein clarified, “Thats his assistant.” Shortly after this exchange, Plaskett began her questioning of Cohen. She pressed him to name other key figures in the Trump Organization, asking, “Are there other people that we should be meeting with?” She specifically followed up on Graff, asking, “Is Ms. Rhona, what is Ms. Rhona's position?” Cohen confirmed Graff's proximity to power, stating her office was next to Trump's and that “she's involved in a lot that went on.”

The coordination appeared to be confirmed by other messages. Epstein texted, “Hes opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org,” to which the recipient replied, “Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn.” After Plaskett finished her questioning, Epstein sent a final message: “good work”.

A Troubling Nexus: The Virgin Islands Connection

The identity of the lawmaker as the representative for the U.S. Virgin Islands is critically significant. Epstein owned a private island, Little St. James, within Plaskett's jurisdiction, which was a central location for his sex trafficking operations. This geographical and political nexus raises profound questions about the nature of their relationship.

Plaskett has previously faced scrutiny over her connections to Epstein. She reportedly received over $30,000 in campaign donations from Epstein and his associates between 2014 and 2018. After public pressure following Epstein's 2019 arrest, she pledged to donate the funds to local charities. Furthermore, before her election to Congress, Plaskett served as general counsel for the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission, which approved significant tax breaks for Epstein's businesses.

In a statement released on Friday, November 14, 2025 (EAT), Plaskett's office did not deny the communication, acknowledging that she “received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein.” The statement added, “As a former prosecutor she welcomes information that helps her get at the truth.” Her chief of staff had earlier told The Washington Post they were “not in a position to confirm or not” the exchange.

Global Implications for Governance and Accountability

While this story is rooted in the complexities of American politics, its implications are global and resonate with challenges faced by nations worldwide, including Kenya. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for wealthy, powerful, and criminally compromised individuals to exert hidden influence over democratic processes and institutions.

The ongoing release of documents from Epstein's estate continues to peel back layers of a network that connected him with elite figures in politics, business, and academia across the globe. For audiences in East Africa and beyond, this episode underscores the universal importance of transparency, rigorous ethical standards for public officials, and constant vigilance against corruption and undue influence that can undermine the integrity of governance. The questions it raises—about who has access to power, how they use it, and who is held accountable—are central to the health of any democracy.