WASHINGTON — Ghislaine Maxwell, the former British socialite and convicted accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions from U.S. lawmakers on Monday, but her attorney said she would be willing to speak publicly if granted clemency by former President Donald Trump.
Maxwell Invokes Fifth Amendment
Maxwell, 64, is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. She was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee to provide testimony regarding her ties with Epstein and his co-conspirators.
During a video deposition from a Texas prison, Maxwell repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when asked about Epstein’s network, whether they associated with the rich and famous to evade scrutiny, and whether Trump engaged in sexual activity with anyone introduced to him by Epstein or Maxwell. Wearing a beige prison uniform, Maxwell consistently stated, “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence”, leading the committee to end the questioning early.
Attorney Suggests Clemency Could Lead to Testimony
Maxwell’s lawyer, David Markus, said in a statement that she would speak if granted clemency by Trump. He stressed that Maxwell alone could provide the “unfiltered truth” about Epstein’s activities while asserting that both Trump and former President Bill Clinton were “innocent of any wrongdoing.”
King Charles’ Decision on Prince Andrew Raises Eyebrows
Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. She was convicted in 2021 of supplying underage girls to Epstein, whose network included influential business figures, politicians, and celebrities.
Release of Epstein-Related Documents
Her deposition comes after the Justice Department released millions of heavily redacted documents related to the Epstein investigation, following the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) passed by Congress in November. While victim identities remain protected, the EFTA mandates that records cannot be withheld due to reputational concerns of public officials, figures, or foreign dignitaries.
Members of Congress have been allowed to review unredacted files in secure Justice Department locations. Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin noted that many names, previously redacted, appear to be “enablers and cooperators.” Republican Representative Thomas Massie indicated that some high-profile individuals, including a “pretty high up” foreign official and billionaire businessman Les Wexner, were identified as implicated in the files.
Calls for Testimony
The House Oversight Committee has also summoned Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify regarding their interactions with Epstein. The Clintons have requested public depositions to prevent politicisation. Trump, who was once a close friend of Epstein, has not been asked to testify by the Republican-controlled committee.
Maxwell’s refusal to testify and her potential clemency request have intensified public interest in uncovering the full scope of Epstein’s network and the involvement of prominent figures, even years after Epstein’s death.
