Newly unveiled documents have brought to light that Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett exchanged text messages with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein during a significant congressional hearing involving Michael Cohen, a former associate of Donald Trump. These revelations have raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the nature of their correspondence.
Representing the U.S. Virgin Islands as a non-voting delegate, Stacey Plaskett engaged in a text conversation with Epstein in February 2019. This was during the high-profile hearing where Cohen provided testimony regarding his former employer, Donald Trump. According to recent document releases associated with Epstein, Plaskett’s name, initially redacted, has now been identified as the participant in these texts.
The Washington Post, which was instrumental in uncovering this connection, reported on Plaskett’s involvement. Her office has since confirmed the accuracy of these findings, adding a layer of complexity to the already contentious hearing.
During the hearing, Cohen accused Trump of various unethical actions, including racism, financial manipulation, and orchestrating hush money payments to conceal extramarital affairs. Trump has consistently denied all allegations. As Cohen delivered his testimony to the House Oversight Committee, Plaskett’s communication with Epstein appeared to influence the proceedings.
In the exchange, Plaskett texted Epstein prior to the hearing, mentioning, “He’ll talk about his grades.” Responding to her, Epstein queried about the privilege preventing the release of college transcripts while the hearing was broadcast live on television. He also complimented Plaskett, saying, “You look great.”
Epstein responded: ‘What privilege stands behind the none release of college transcripts?’, as the hearing went live on TV, he added: ‘You look great’.
A broadcast feed cut to her at one point in which Plaskett was seen moving her mouth as though she was chewing, Epstein asked: ‘Are you chewing?’
‘Not any more. Chewing interior of my mouth. Bad habit from middle school’, she responded.
Plaskett, the US Virgin Island non-voting delegate, exchanged texts with Epstein in February 2019 while the hearing into Donald Trump was taking place
Epstein at the time of the messages was a known convicted sex offender
Two hours before she questioned Cohen, he said: ‘He’s opened the door to questions, re who are the other henchmen at Trump org.’
Plaskett responded: ‘Yup. Very aware and awaiting my turn’.
After a few hours, Epstein told her: ‘Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets’, referring to Trump’s former executive assistant Rhona Graff.
A frantic Plaskett responded: ‘RONA??, quick I’m up next is that an acronym?’. Epstein responded: ‘That’s his assistant.’
The ‘I’m up next’ message was sent at 2:25pm, three minutes before Plaskett started talking with Cohen at 2:28pm.
During the hearing she asked Cohen about any other Trump associates that he had mentioned previously, referring to Epstein’s ‘henchmen’ text.
‘Are there other people that we should be meeting with?’, she asked. Cohen name dropped Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO at the Trump Organization.
She interrupted: ‘You’ve got to quickly give us as many names as you can so we can get to them. Is Ms Rhona, what is Ms Rhona’s?
‘Rhona Graff is the – Mr Trump’s executive assistant. She was, her office is directly next to his, and she’s involved in a lot that went on.’
Epstein seemingly had a say in what was asked by Plaskett, who reached out to him before the hearing started
Michael Cohen was Trump’s lawyer, he testified that his former boss was racist and used hush money payments, all of which Trump denied
As she approached the end of her grilling of Cohen, Epstein messaged her again saying: ‘Good work’ 2:34pm.
Epstein at the time of the messages was a known convicted sex offender, having pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
He would later be charged with federal sex trafficking crimes in July 2019, he was found dead from a suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August of that same year.
In a statement, her office said: ‘During the hearing, Congresswoman Plaskett received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein.
‘As a former prosecutor she welcomes information that helps her get at the truth and took on the GOP that was trying to bury the truth.
‘The congresswoman has previously made clear her long record combating sexual assault and human trafficking, her disgust over Epstein’s deviant behavior and her support for his victims.’
