'I did not know Jeffrey Epstein,' Hillary Clinton tells congressional committee

Congressional Depositions Involving the Clintons

On Thu, Oct 12, 2023, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before Congress, stating her lack of knowledge regarding the criminal activities of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Hillary Clinton emphasized her unfamiliarity with Epstein in her opening statement, which was followed by a six-hour closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York.

The depositions occur amidst ongoing investigations by the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee into Epstein's criminal activities. This marks the first occasion a former president, Bill Clinton, will testify before Congress. The investigation seeks clarity on Epstein's influence and wealth accumulation.

In response to the demands for transparency, Hillary Clinton reiterated her stance on addressing sex trafficking globally and criticized the investigation's focus. She also accused the committee of conducting a biased inquiry.

The investigation also examines past decisions by the Department of Justice regarding Epstein's previous legal arrangements. The committee's efforts to understand these decisions are part of a broader inquiry to uncover institutional shortcomings.

During the proceedings, incidents such as unauthorized photo sharing by Rep. Lauren Boebert highlighted concerns about maintaining the integrity of the deposition process. Calls for public access to the deposition's video and transcript have emerged, emphasizing the need for transparency.

Democrats have suggested that President Donald Trump should also testify, citing the precedent set by Bill Clinton's deposition. The ongoing investigation aims to address various questions related to Epstein's connections and wealth.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has announced plans to review unredacted Epstein case files to ensure comprehensive transparency and accountability.

Based on reporting by Africanews.