<\/p>\n
Former Miami Beach mayor and 2018 Florida gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine (left) and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (right).<\/p>\n
Al Diaz\/Miami Herald, U.S. Justice Department<\/p>\n
Sarah Kellen, a key member of Jeffrey Epstein\u2019s inner orbit, told the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Thursday that former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine had sexually assaulted her. Multiple sources who were present at her testimony told the Miami Herald<\/a> that Kellen, Epstein\u2019s longtime personal assistant, did not provide details but that she came across as credible.<\/p>\n Levine did not respond to multiple texts and calls from the Herald on Thursday and Friday.<\/p>\n Levine has previously downplayed his ties to Epstein, but the Herald found emails released in the Epstein Files that indicate his relationship with Maxwell and Epstein went back to at least the early 2000s.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a timeline, based on emails reviewed by the Herald and earlier reporting.<\/p>\n Timeline<\/p>\n Early 2000s: Levine shares a series<\/a> of flirtatious and sometimes sexually explicit messages with Ghislaine Maxwell.<\/p>\n March 4, 2003: Levine writes<\/a> to Antonio Belloni, the chairman of luxury cosmetics and products company Mo\u00ebt Hennessy, to set up a meeting between Belloni and Epstein. Levine describes Epstein as a \u201crepresentative for Leslie Wexner,\u201d the principal of Victoria\u2019s Secret. The agenda for the meeting was to discuss the cosmetics retailer Sephora, but details are unclear.<\/p>\n April 2005: Levine exchanges a series<\/a> of missives<\/a> with Maxwell about prospective properties he was looking to purchase and solicits her opinion. It is unclear from the messages whether the properties were in South Florida or elsewhere.<\/p>\n Sept. 2, 2005: Levine writes<\/a> to Maxwell about a trip to New Orleans he was about to take with someone named Lisa. At the time, Levine was engaged<\/a> to journalist Lisa Ling.<\/p>\n June 30, 2008: Epstein pleads guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18, and is sentenced to 18 months in jail.<\/p>\n July 22, 2009: Epstein is released from the Palm Beach County Stockade after serving 13 months and begins probation.<\/p>\n READ MORE: For years, Jeffrey Epstein abused teen girls, police say. A timeline of his case<\/a><\/p>\n July 27, 2009: Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of Britain\u2019s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly, Prince Andrew), writes to Epstein in an email<\/a> saying she and her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie spent the previous night at Levine\u2019s. Ferguson planned to meet Epstein at his Palm Beach mansion.<\/p>\n June 14, 2010: Epstein sends an email<\/a> introducing Levine to lawyer and law professor Alan Dershowitz at his request.<\/p>\n July 14, 2010: Levine emails<\/a> Epstein: \u201cHi, Just want you to know that I am happy that everything has come to a positive ending for you during these tough times\u2026 You are a great guy and I know all good things will come to you going forward. In Europe for a while and hope we can catch up soon.\u201d He signs the email, \u201cYour friend, Philip.\u201d<\/p>\n July 21, 2010: Epstein\u2019s probation term ends.<\/p>\n Sept. 21, 2010: Levine asks to meet Epstein<\/a> while visiting New York. Epstein asks his assistant to make some time for a meeting.<\/p>\n Dec. 9, 2010: Levine introduces<\/a> members of the St. Thomas Historical Trust in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Epstein. The society was looking to raise funds for a preservation project.<\/p>\n March 5, 2013: Levine files to run for mayor of Miami Beach.<\/p>\n May 22, 2013: Epstein seeks to contribute<\/a> to Levine\u2019s mayoral campaign.<\/p>\n Nov. 5, 2013: Levine is elected mayor of Miami Beach.<\/p>\n Nov. 1, 2017: Levine announces a run<\/a> for Florida governor.<\/p>\n Nov. 13, 2017: Levine\u2019s last day as Miami Beach mayor.<\/p>\n Jan. 24, 2018: Epstein declines to contribute<\/a> to Levine\u2019s gubernatorial campaign. He tells Levine\u2019s mother that his \u201ccolorful past might be more of a burden\u201d for Levine.<\/p>\n Aug. 28, 2018: Levine loses the Democratic primary<\/a> to Andrew Gillum.<\/p>\n Aug. 24, 2019: The Miami Herald publishes<\/a> a story about Levine\u2019s ties to Epstein. Levine is quoted as saying they met a few times but that he had \u201cno clue\u201d how he was introduced.<\/p>\n Feb. 2, 2026: The Herald publishes<\/a> another story about Levine\u2019s emails with Epstein and Maxwell. Levine described having a \u201cformer friendship\u201d with Maxwell but said he only met Epstein a few times. \u201cI never conducted business with him, never visited his island and never flew on his aircraft. I regret ever meeting him,\u201d Levine said.<\/p>\n May 21, 2026: Kellen testifies before the House Oversight Committee that she was sexually assaulted by Levine. Levine has yet to respond to her claim.<\/p>\n
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