Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted former associate of the late Jeffrey Epstein, recently declined to answer questions posed by the US House Oversight Committee during a closed-door deposition conducted virtually from her Texas prison, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Republican Committee Chairman James Comer expressed disappointment over Maxwell’s refusal to cooperate, noting that she invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Comer stated he and his colleagues had numerous inquiries regarding the crimes orchestrated by Maxwell and Epstein, including questions about potential co-conspirators. He emphasized the committee’s commitment to uncovering the truth for survivors and the American public.
After the hearing, Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury remarked that Maxwell seemed more focused on using the opportunity to “campaign for clemency.” Comer’s remarks reflected a consensus among Epstein’s survivors that Maxwell was a principal figure in the criminal activities and should not receive any special treatment.
In a statement shared on social media, Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, claimed that she would be willing to provide information if granted clemency by former President Trump, suggesting that her full account would reveal critical truths that others may not want to hear.
A group of Epstein survivors had previously urged lawmakers to approach Maxwell’s potential testimony with skepticism, criticizing her failure to disclose the identities of powerful individuals involved in Epstein’s trafficking operation. They warned that any credibility lent to her claims could be harmful to the victims of Epstein’s abuse.
The White House has affirmed that “no leniency is being given or discussed” regarding Maxwell. Convicted in 2021 for her role in Epstein’s crimes, she has also sought a pardon from Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, with whom he claims to have severed ties decades earlier.
During the deposition, Representative Ro Khanna intended to question Maxwell about allegations that she identified four co-conspirators and 25 others not indicted in the Epstein investigation. He also sought clarification on her purported relationship with Trump and whether Trump ever considered a pardon for her.
The deposition, originally scheduled for August, was postponed following a request from Maxwell’s legal team related to pending Supreme Court rulings affecting her case. It coincides with the recent release of millions of pages of documents from the Department of Justice’s investigation into Epstein, as Congress aims to shed light on the numerous accusations linked to the financier and his associates.
Comer expressed his approval for the Department of Justice allowing members of Congress access to un-redacted documents, as transparency remains a significant concern for lawmakers and survivors alike. Following the deposition, a group of Epstein’s survivors released a video calling for greater clarity regarding redacted and unreleased files, further highlighting the public’s demand for accountability and openness in this ongoing saga.
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