Frédéric Fekkai Faces Renewed Call for Investigation Over Sarah Kellen’s Allegations

Frédéric Fekkai is back in the spotlight after House Oversight Republicans called on the Justice Department to investigate allegations made by Sarah Kellen, Jeffrey Epstein’s former assistant. A report released on November 10 renews a request first made by lawmakers in June. It recommends further inquiry into claims involving Fekkai and former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine, but does not announce charges or confirm that the department has opened a new investigation. Kellen described her allegations during a closed-door committee interview on May 21. A transcript was later made public. According to ABC News’ account of her testimony, she said she was pursuing modeling opportunities in the early 2000s when Fekkai invited her to a fashion show in Hawaii. She alleged that no show was taking place when she arrived and that she did not have the money to arrange her own accommodation or return flight. Kellen told lawmakers that Fekkai took advantage of her that night and later introduced her to Epstein. Those claims are disputed. Fekkai’s representatives have denied that he abused Kellen, acted illegally, knew about Epstein’s trafficking, or introduced the two, according to statements reported by ABC News and CNN. The committee report follows a 15-month review of the government’s handling of the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell investigations. Along with recommending an investigation of the allegations against Fekkai and Levine, lawmakers urged investigators to interview or reinterview key witnesses and to give survivors access to their own unredacted records. The report also revisits Kellen’s allegation against Levine, who was Miami Beach’s mayor from 2013 to 2017. She claimed he assaulted her during a trip to Saint-Tropez in the early 2000s while she was travelling with Epstein and Maxwell. Levine’s spokesperson disputed her account. The congressional recommendation is not a finding that either man committed wrongdoing, and the article reports no criminal charges against them in connection with the allegations.