Newly released documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate show that the convicted sex offender exchanged text messages with a Democratic member of Congress during Michael Cohen’s February 2019 testimony, and that those messages may have influenced the congresswoman’s questioning of Cohen. The documents, published Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee, include copies of Epstein’s digital communications, emails, and text messages, The Washington Post
reported.
In the texts, Epstein appeared to be watching the hearing in real time and notified the congresswoman — whose name was redacted in the documents — that Cohen had mentioned former Trump executive assistant Rhona Graff during his testimony.
At the time, Cohen was accusing Trump of racism, financial manipulation, and authorizing hush-money payments, allegations Trump denied.
Epstein texted, “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets,” misspelling Graff’s name.
“RONA??” the lawmaker replied. “Quick I’m up next is that an acronym,” she wrote, indicating she was moments away from questioning Cohen.
The timestamps on the messages matched the live hearing feed, and the content indicated that the texting partner was Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who served as a member of the House Oversight Committee.
Plaskett declined to answer questions when reached by phone Thursday and referred inquiries to her staff.
Her chief of staff, Angeline Jabbar, said she was “not in a position to confirm or not” whether Plaskett was texting with Epstein and did not respond to follow-up questions.
After the story was published Friday evening, Plaskett’s office issued a statement acknowledging she received messages from Epstein during the hearing.
“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,” the statement said.
It added that Plaskett “welcomes information that helps her get at the truth” and highlighted her record of combating sexual assault and human trafficking.
The documents show Epstein messaged Plaskett before the hearing began.
At 7:55 a.m. Eastern time, Plaskett texted Epstein, “He’ll talk about his grades.”
Epstein replied one minute later, “what privilege stands behind the none release of college transcripts?”
Throughout the morning, Epstein continued messaging Plaskett.
At 10:02 a.m., he texted, “Great outfit.”
At 10:22 a.m., he added, “You look great,” to which she replied, “Thanks!”
At approximately 10:40 a.m., the broadcast showed Plaskett moving her mouth as though chewing something.
At 10:41 a.m., Epstein texted, “Are you chewing.”
Plaskett responded, “Not any more. Chewing interior of my mouth. Bad habit from middle school.”
The messages continued throughout the hearing.
At 12:50 p.m., Epstein asked, “How much longer for you.”
“Hours. Go to other mtgs,” Plaskett replied.
Other messages indicate Epstein was offering input on lines of questioning.
At 12:25 p.m., Epstein wrote, “Hes opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org.”
“Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn,” Plaskett responded.
When Plaskett questioned Cohen at 2:28 p.m., she asked about Trump associates Cohen had mentioned.
“So Allen Weisselberg is the chief financial officer in The Trump Organization,” Cohen began.
“You’ve got to quickly give us as many names as you can so we can get to them,” she interjected.
Plaskett’s line of questioning then turned to Graff, just as Epstein had flagged.
“Is Ms. Rhona, what is Ms. Rhona’s— …?” she asked.
Cohen replied, “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 would not be charged with federal sex-trafficking crimes until July 2019, several months after the Cohen hearing, but he was already a known convicted sex offender following his 2008 plea agreement in Florida.
BREAKING: Former Capitol Police Officer Linked to Jan. 6 Pipe Bombing, Forensics Confirm 
A bombshell report has emerged from Blaze News that could unravel the entire narrative of January 6. Forensic gait analysis has identified former U.S. Capitol Police officer Shauni Rae Kerkhoff as a near-perfect match for the elusive pipe bomb suspect.
Using cutting-edge software, analysts matched Kerkhoff’s stride with that of the suspect captured on video placing pipe bombs near the DNC and Capitol Hill Club on January 5, 2021. The results? A stunning 94% match from the software—and closer to 98% by human analysis.
This match wasn’t arbitrary. The program analyzed variables like cadence, hip extension, knee flexion, step variance, and even limb angle. Kerkhoff’s slight limp from a past soccer injury proved to be a unique signature, linking her directly to the suspect caught on surveillance.
Kerkhoff, 31, served with the Capitol Police for over four years, specifically as a Civil Disturbance Unit trainer on less-lethal weapons. She resigned in mid-2021, transitioning into a classified security detail tied to the CIA.
Multiple intelligence officials have confirmed the accuracy of Blaze News’ analysis. Shockingly, FBI agents were surveilling a property just one door away from Kerkhoff days after January 6—but were pulled off the assignment without explanation.
Former FBI Special Agent Kyle Seraphin confirmed his team was feet from the suspect. He now believes the FBI was knowingly involved in a cover-up. “They were f**king in on it,” he told Blaze News.
Even more damning: Blaze News obtained high-resolution video not released by the FBI, showing the suspect’s gait in crystal-clear detail. Analysts compared this to footage of Kerkhoff from Capitol security cameras and a 2017 Columbus Eagles FC soccer game.
The match was undeniable. Kerkhoff’s gait, body structure, and stride perfectly aligned with the hoodie-wearing suspect.
Her history deepens the intrigue. A standout Division I college goalkeeper, Kerkhoff shattered her leg in 2015 during a game, leaving her with a permanent limp—a detail now at the center of this explosive identification.
Despite years of investigation and millions in rewards, the FBI has failed to identify the bomber. This new evidence casts serious doubt on whether they were ever truly trying.
Seraphin said his team proposed interviewing a nearby Air Force civilian whose address was tied to the suspect’s transit card. The request was denied, and the team was removed from the case.
Kerkhoff was a use-of-force instructor on January 6 and testified in related criminal trials. Video evidence shows her deploying crowd control weapons into peaceful sections of the crowd.
Congressman Thomas Massie grilled FBI Director Wray over this case last year, exposing how the bureau had failed to interview the person who allegedly found the bomb at the DNC. That individual turned out to be a plainclothes Capitol Police officer.
Even Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund admitted he was unaware of any lawful reason for a Capitol officer to be planting bombs. “I had no knowledge it was being carried out, nor was it authorized,” Sund said.
Blaze News also reported the suspect may have initially tried to plant bombs outside the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. Surveillance videos suggest the devices were handled—possibly swapped—early on the morning of January 6.
Shockingly, Secret Service agents stationed outside the DNC were seen lounging and eating lunch mere feet from the bomb, showing no urgency after being alerted.
This suggests the agency may have known the devices were duds, lending weight to suspicions of an inside job.
The FBI’s own video releases were allegedly tampered with to reduce the frame rate, blurring the suspect’s movements. The clearer footage obtained by Blaze News disproves claims of poor visibility.
With a 94%-98% match, corroborating intel sources, and prior proximity during surveillance, the case against Kerkhoff is damning. If confirmed, it will rewrite the history of January 6.
What was framed as an insurrection may have been a manipulated event, enabled—or even facilitated—by government insiders.