Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted former associate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, has chosen not to answer questions posed by the U.S. House Oversight Committee during a deposition held on Monday. Currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking at a federal prison camp in Texas, Maxwell revealed that she would be willing to provide testimony, asserting that neither former President Donald Trump nor former President Bill Clinton had any involvement in Epstein’s wrongdoing, contingent upon being pardoned by Trump.
A video released by the committee captures Maxwell during a video call, where she invoked the Fifth Amendment to evade inquiries. This action has come under scrutiny as lawmakers investigate individuals linked to Epstein and the facilitation of his abuses. Both Clinton and Trump are mentioned over 1,000 times in recently released documents, which detail their connections to Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Maxwell’s attorney supports her claims
Maxwell’s legal representative, David Oscar Markus, conveyed to the committee that, “Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump.” He further asserted that both Trump and Clinton are “innocent of any wrongdoing,” emphasizing that only Maxwell can provide clarification, stating, “the public is entitled to that explanation.”
Political backlash against Maxwell’s plea
Despite her request for clemency, a bipartisan pushback has emerged against Maxwell’s plea for a reduced sentence. New Mexico Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury remarked, “It’s very clear she’s campaigning for clemency.” Meanwhile, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna expressed her disapproval on social media, declaring, “No clemency. You comply or face punishment.” Luna further condemned Maxwell, stating, “You deserve justice for what you did, you monster.”
Maxwell continues to fight her conviction, claiming wrongful judgment. Although the Supreme Court dismissed her appeal last year, she has recently requested a federal judge in New York to reassess her case, citing “substantial new evidence” that allegedly indicates constitutional violations during her trial. This claim was referenced by her attorney while informing lawmakers of Maxwell’s intent to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.
In light of these developments, the White House reiterated previous statements from President Biden, suggesting that a pardon for Maxwell is unlikely. The ongoing scrutiny surrounding the British socialite has intensified following the release of millions of documents related to the Epstein case, as lawmakers delve into how the deceased sex offender exploited underage girls, some as young as 11 years old, according to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Virgin Islands government.