Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted accomplice of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, declined to answer questions from a congressional panel on Monday but indicated she would testify if granted clemency by former President Donald Trump.
Maxwell, 64, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking underage girls to Epstein. She was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee to discuss her relationship with Epstein and potential co-conspirators.
Rather than answer the committee, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
“As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions,” said committee chairman James Comer. “This is obviously very disappointing. We had many questions about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as potential co-conspirators.”
Her attorney, David Markus, said Maxwell would be willing to testify publicly if granted clemency by Trump.
“If this committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth, there is a straightforward path,” Markus said. “Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump.”
Markus also emphasized that both Trump and former President Bill Clinton are “innocent of any wrongdoing” in relation to Epstein.
Maxwell is the only person convicted in connection with Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. She was found guilty in 2021 of supplying underage girls to Epstein, whose network included powerful business executives, politicians, and celebrities.
The deposition was conducted virtually from the Texas prison where Maxwell is serving her sentence. It follows the recent release of millions of documents, photographs, and videos by the U.S. Justice Department related to Epstein’s crimes. While no new prosecutions are expected, the files have tarnished several political and business figures.
Democratic lawmaker Suhas Subramanyam, present during the deposition, described Maxwell as “robotic” and “unrepentant,” suggesting her silence was part of a strategy to seek a presidential pardon.
The House Oversight Committee has also summoned Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify about their interactions with Epstein. The Clintons have requested that their testimony be public to prevent politicization.
While Trump, once a close friend of Epstein, has not been called to testify, he previously attempted to block the release of documents related to Epstein. Republican pressure ultimately led to a law mandating full disclosure, fueling public debate about potential protection of wealthy and influential individuals in Epstein’s orbit.
