The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Ghislaine Maxwell against her sex-trafficking conviction.
Without providing an explanation, the court declined to hear the former British socialite's appeal, which means her 20-year sentence will remain in place barring a presidential pardon.
Her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told the BBC that her team was deeply disappointed but would continue exploring legal avenues to ensure that justice is done.
Maxwell was convicted for her role in luring underage girls for her former boyfriend, the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, to exploit. Epstein died in prison in 2019.
Family members of late Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre expressed gratitude for the court's decision and hope that Maxwell serves her full sentence. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the ruling.
Maxwell was recently interviewed by federal agents investigating Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme. Found guilty in 2021, she has faced continuous scrutiny regarding her actions in facilitating Epstein's abuse of vulnerable girls.
Speculation remains regarding a potential presidential pardon, though the White House has stated that no discussions for leniency are underway. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that such matters generally don't warrant public comment.
The investigative files surrounding Epstein's case have triggered political debates, with calls for transparency about his associations. The Justice Department has released some documents, but many believe crucial information remains hidden.
Maxwell currently resides in a minimum-security prison facility in Texas, raising concerns among the victims' families about her treatment and the appropriateness of her confinement. The ongoing case continues to captivate public interest and highlight issues of justice within high-profile networks.
