Over the course of ten years, Ghislaine Maxwell “helped and was involved in the sexual abuse of several young girls” along with herpartner Jeffrey Epsteinwhile living a “life of exceptional wealth and advantages,” as stated by federal prosecutors.
Between 1994 and 2004, Maxwell and Epstein collaborated.to groom young girls— some as young as 14 years old — and persuaded them to go to Epstein’s locations, according to prosecutors. During a month-long trial in 2021, victims spoke in federal court in Manhattan, stating that Maxwell had prepared them, confiscated their passports, and sexually assaulted them.
Four individuals who were harmed provided testimony. The prosecutors claimed that she tricked them into feeling safe by appearing as a “fashionable, older woman,” which helped create an environment of abuse and secrecy around her and Epstein, as stated in a sentencing document. The federal judge handling the case mentioned that Maxwell “was crucial” in their mistreatment.
Four years on, President Donald Trump has, notably, no negative comments to make about the case involving a woman he is familiar with, the allegations against her,or the jury’s verdict.
The president—whose long-standing connection with Epstein and renewed claims of misconductinvolving a convicted sexual offenderis under heavy public examination — hasnot ruled out pardoning Maxwell.
Maxwell, who is currently 63 years old, is not expected to leave prison until 2040. She has appealed her conviction to the Supreme Court, a move that the Department of Justice is against. Her most likely path to an early release would be through a presidential pardon, and legal professionals caution that the president’s public remarks implying that a pardon might be possible could motivate Maxwell to take any actions necessary to obtain it.
Her lawyer David Markus stated that she would “welcome” it.
It remains uncertain if those connected to Maxwell’s case — including interviews by the Department of Justice and the president’s public comments about a possible pardon — have taken into account the effects on her victims.
A former attorney in the Justice Department who handled pardons, Liz Oyer, claims these conversations have been “surprisingly neglected.”
Nobody is addressing how the victims might feel even with these discussions taking place,she told All Rise.
Teresa Helm, who had given evidence against Maxwell,told MSNBCthe impact of a pardon “would result in the total collapse of this justice system that must first and foremost represent, advocate for, and safeguard victims.”
Forgiving Maxwell would be “very problematic and would be a significant loss for people like me,” witness and Epstein accuser Annie Farmertold the BBC.
On August 11, Maxwell is set to participate in a deposition from jail, requested by the House Oversight Committee, which is controlled by Republicans. In a letter addressed to the committee, her legal team has requested certain immunity safeguards and also renewed their appeal to Trump for clemency.
“If Ms. Maxwell were granted clemency, she would be ready — and enthusiastic — to speak freely and truthfully, in a public setting, before Congress in Washington, D.C.,” as stated in the letter, which was submitted by Maxwell’s legal team.The Independent.She is eager to present the facts and to clarify the numerous misunderstandings and incorrect statements that have surrounded this case since the start.
Her legal representatives claim she did not get a just trial, which was used as a “scapegoat” following Epstein’s passing.
The Independenthas asked for input from Maxwell’s legal representatives.
A key issue is whether she is being truthful.
The Justice Department under Trump in 2020 stated that she “brazenly” lied during her testimony. The judge presiding over her federal criminal case noted that she did not demonstrate any “acceptance of responsibility” for her actions.
Oyer told CBS NewsThat Maxwell is probably “desperate to escape that sentence,” with the addition that “it’s difficult to truly believe that the Justice Department would depend on anything she might say.”
She is currently facing an active criminal appeal. It doesn’t make sense for her to risk it unless she receives some form of protection,wrote journalist Jacob Shamsian, who thoroughly reported on Maxwell’s cases. “And if she does, how can you believe her? She has every reason in the world to escape her 20-year sentence.”
Democratic Senators Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse are requesting a public assurance from the Justice Department that it will not support a pardon or sentence reduction for Maxwell.
The senators described as “unusual” the fact that deputy attorney general Todd Blanche — who previously served as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer — conducted the interview with Maxwell, instead of the prosecutors who are well-versed in the case.
The Trump administration dismissed Maurene Comey, one of the prosecutors involved in the successful prosecution of Maxwell, who had interrogated witnesses and victims of abuse who provided testimony against her.
Durbin and Whitehouse cautioned that her “history of deception and her eagerness to obtain early release” could result in her “giving misleading details or concealing information in exchange for a pardon or reduced sentence.”
When the charges were initially announced in July 2020, Trump — whose relationship with Epstein lasted through a similar timeframe as the core of Maxwell’s case — stated that he wasn’t “following the case” but added, “I wish her well.”
I truly hope she does well,He mentioned to reporters at the White House at that time.I’ve encountered her many times over the years, particularly since I resided in Palm Beach and I suppose they also lived there. However, I hope she’s doing well, regardless of the situation.
Last week, when questioned about whether he was thinking of granting her a pardon in return for her help in the Epstein case, Trump stated that he was “allowed to do it.”
Later, he stated that he “can’t discuss pardons” as Blanche keeps talking to Maxwell.
On Saturday, he stated that “now was not the time to discuss pardons,” and on Monday, he emphasized that he was “allowed” to pardon Maxwell, “but no one has brought it up to me.”
Maxwell’s trial was widely viewed as the public confrontation with Epstein that the convicted sex offender never experienced. Epstein passed away in his prison cell in 2019 after being arrested prior to his own trial on charges of sex trafficking.
Ms. Maxwell is not being penalized in place of Epstein,” stated New York District Judge Alison Nathan during her sentencing hearing in 2022. “Ms. Maxwell is facing consequences for the part she took.
Nathan described Maxwell’s actions as “heinous and exploitative,” and the 20-year prison term given to her was meant to “recognize the damage Ms. Maxwell has inflicted.”
The cases were also entangled in broader conspiracy theories promoted by the president and his supporters, which alleged that influential Democratic individuals were involved in child trafficking. These claims formed the core of the so-called “Pizzagate” and QAnon movements, which had spread throughout the wider Republican political landscape.
However, the Trump administration’s refusal to disclose so-called “documents” related to the Epstein case, which critics had hoped would expose prominent individuals who exploited and mistreated young girls, has led to claims that the president is involved in a cover-up.
Following the delivery of binders containing mostly previously disclosed evidence in the Epstein case to far-right influencers in February, Bondi reportedly informed Trump that his name was found in unreleased documents. The Justice Department had reportedly been working around the clock to prepare 100,000 files related to the case for public release—but ultimately did not make them available.
Elon Musk — who earlier this year dropped what he referred to as a “bomb” into his conflict with Trump by claiming the president was involved in “files” — has increased claims that Maxwell plans to link Democratic officials in the inquiry.
The concept is: fabricated evidence provided by Maxwell would support the president’s assertion that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Epstein, while a guilty Trump receives acclaim from his supporters for exposing child abusers.
On his X account, Musk replied to a popular post outlining the accusations.with a bullseye emoji.
Any insights from Maxwell’s testimony, aided by Trump, who is eager to shift the focus, could create a wave of diversions. A pardon exchange could lead to political consequences for Trump and his supporters, while intensifying claims of a cover-up.
Escalating the tension is a report fromThe Wall Street Journalthat claimed the president authored a suggestive birthday card for Epstein in 2003, which reportedly contained “several lines of typed text enclosed by the shape of a naked woman,” along with a birthday message that “may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump has denied ever composing such a note andfiled a lawsuit against the newspaper, its publishers, and the journalists who wrote the article, seeking $10 billion.
The individual who could authenticate the message and the claims against Trump is Maxwell, who is said to have requested birthday greetings from Epstein’s associates and compiled them into a book for him.
During a two-day interview with Blanche, Maxwell provided answers regarding “approximately 100 different individuals” who may have connections to the Epstein network, as stated by her lawyer.
As a result, Maxwell received a restricted type of immunity that would stop prosecutors from utilizing her statements against her in a criminal case.
After her meeting with Blanche, Markus stated that she responded “to all the questions truthfully, sincerely, and to the best of her capability.”
From news to politics, travel to sports, culture to the environment – The Independent offers a variety of free newsletters tailored to your preferences. To discover the stories you enjoy, and more, directly in your inbox, clickhere.
