Washington, Feb 26 (EFE).- Former United States Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton denied Thursday before a congressional committee knowing convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or his criminal activities.
“I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes, or offices. I have nothing to add to that,” Clinton said in her opening statement posted on social media.
Clinton accused the Republican-controlled committee of covering up for President Donald Trump.
“You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,” Clinton said.
“If this Committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files,” she added.
Clinton said that “like every decent person,” she has been horrified to learn of the crimes included in the declassified files.
She also criticized that eight subpoenaed law enforcement officials had been allowed to simply state they had no information.
“This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official, rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors, as well as the public who also want to get to the bottom of this matter,” the former Secretary of State said.
My heart breaks for the survivors. And I am furious on their behalf,” she added.
The questioning, which is being conducted behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons reside, is taking place one day before her husband’s, former President Bill Clinton (1993-2001).
Although the Clintons initially refused to testify before Congress, the threat of being charged with contempt led the former presidential couple to agree to appear to explain their relationship with Epstein.
The Clintons requested that their testimony be made public.
Bill Clinton acknowledges having made several trips in the early 2000s on Epstein’s private plane for philanthropic reasons, but denies any knowledge of the crimes.
Hillary Clinton claims she did not know Epstein, but acknowledges having met his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, on several occasions at the Clinton Foundation events. EFE
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