Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, intends to invoke her right to remain silent during questioning by the US House Oversight Committee, according to her lawyer. Maxwell is expected to appear virtually for Monday's closed-door deposition from the Texas prison where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. I can confirm that she will take the 5th, Maxwell's lawyer David Oscar Markus told the BBC on Sunday, referring to the right to avoid self-incrimination outlined in the Fifth Amendment of the US constitution. Instead, Maxwell will read a prepared statement at the outset of the deposition, Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein to exploit. Epstein died in prison in 2019. She is seeking a pardon from Trump and has been accused of lying to federal officials. In a letter addressed to Oversight Committee chairman James Comer, Khanna mentioned plans to ask Maxwell about a court document in which she named four co-conspirators and 25 others who were not indicted in the Epstein investigation.
Khanna also intends to inquire about Maxwell's and Epstein’s relationship with Donald Trump, and whether Trump discussed a potential pardon for her with her defense team. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and claims he distanced himself from him decades ago.
Khanna pointed out that Maxwell's decision to not answer questions this time appears inconsistent with her previous conduct, where she did not invoke the Fifth Amendment during a meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Last year's testimony had her denying witnessing inappropriate conduct by Trump or former President Bill Clinton.
The deposition, postponed from last August, occurs as the US Department of Justice has released millions of pages from its investigation into Epstein, following a law passed by Congress to ensure transparency. Members of Congress will have access to view these documents starting Monday, while Epstein survivors are calling for further transparency around redacted files.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein to exploit. Epstein died in prison in 2019. She is seeking a pardon from Trump and has been accused of lying to federal officials. In a letter addressed to Oversight Committee chairman James Comer, Khanna mentioned plans to ask Maxwell about a court document in which she named four co-conspirators and 25 others who were not indicted in the Epstein investigation.
Khanna also intends to inquire about Maxwell's and Epstein’s relationship with Donald Trump, and whether Trump discussed a potential pardon for her with her defense team. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and claims he distanced himself from him decades ago.
Khanna pointed out that Maxwell's decision to not answer questions this time appears inconsistent with her previous conduct, where she did not invoke the Fifth Amendment during a meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Last year's testimony had her denying witnessing inappropriate conduct by Trump or former President Bill Clinton.
The deposition, postponed from last August, occurs as the US Department of Justice has released millions of pages from its investigation into Epstein, following a law passed by Congress to ensure transparency. Members of Congress will have access to view these documents starting Monday, while Epstein survivors are calling for further transparency around redacted files.
