A timeline of the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and ex-Miami Beach mayor

Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald on May 22, 2026

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MIAMI — Sarah Kellen, a key member of Jeffrey Epstein’s 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 that Kellen, Epstein’s longtime personal assistant, did not provide details but that she came across as credible.

Levine did not respond to multiple texts and calls from the Herald on Thursday and Friday.

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.

Here’s a timeline, based on emails reviewed by the Herald and earlier reporting.

Timeline

—Early 2000s: Levine shares a series of flirtatious and sometimes sexually explicit messages with Ghislaine Maxwell.

—March 4, 2003: Levine writes to Antonio Belloni, the chairman of luxury cosmetics and products company Moët Hennessy, to set up a meeting between Belloni and Epstein. Levine describes Epstein as a “representative for Leslie Wexner,” the principal of Victoria’s Secret. The agenda for the meeting was to discuss the cosmetics retailer Sephora, but details are unclear.

—April 2005: Levine exchanges a series of missives 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.

—Sept. 2, 2005: Levine writes to Maxwell about a trip to New Orleans he was about to take with someone named Lisa. At the time, Levine was engaged to journalist Lisa Ling.

—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.

—July 22, 2009: Epstein is released from the Palm Beach County Stockade after serving 13 months and begins probation.

—July 27, 2009: Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of Britain’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly, Prince Andrew), writes to Epstein in an email saying she and her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie spent the previous night at Levine’s. Ferguson planned to meet Epstein at his Palm Beach mansion.

—June 14, 2010: Epstein sends an email introducing Levine to lawyer and law professor Alan Dershowitz at his request.

—July 14, 2010: Levine emails Epstein: “Hi, Just want you to know that I am happy that everything has come to a positive ending for you during these tough times… 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.” He signs the email, “Your friend, Philip.”

—July 21, 2010: Epstein’s probation term ends.

—Sept. 21, 2010: Levine asks to meet Epstein while visiting New York. Epstein asks his assistant to make some time for a meeting.

—Dec. 9, 2010: Levine introduces 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.

—March 5, 2013: Levine files to run for mayor of Miami Beach.

—May 22, 2013: Epstein seeks to contribute to Levine’s mayoral campaign.

—Nov. 5, 2013: Levine is elected mayor of Miami Beach.

—Nov. 1, 2017: Levine announces a run for Florida governor.

—Nov. 13, 2017: Levine’s last day as Miami Beach mayor.

—Jan. 24, 2018: Epstein declines to contribute to Levine’s gubernatorial campaign. He tells Levine’s mother that his “colorful past might be more of a burden” for Levine.

—Aug. 28, 2018: Levine loses the Democratic primary to Andrew Gillum.

—Aug. 24, 2019: The Miami Herald publishes a story about Levine’s ties to Epstein. Levine is quoted as saying they met a few times but that he had “no clue” how he was introduced.

—Feb. 2, 2026: The Herald publishes another story about Levine’s emails with Epstein and Maxwell. Levine described having a “former friendship” with Maxwell but said he only met Epstein a few times. “I never conducted business with him, never visited his island and never flew on his aircraft. I regret ever meeting him,” Levine said.

—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.