Washington — Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime affiliate of convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein, invoked her Fifth Modification proper in opposition to self-incrimination and refused to reply questions throughout a digital look earlier than the Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee on Monday.
Her lawyer stated she could be prepared to cooperate with the panel’s probe if President Trump grants her clemency, and would testify that the president is “harmless of any wrongdoing.”
“As anticipated, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to reply any questions. This clearly may be very disappointing,” chairman James Comer informed reporters after the deposition. “We had many inquiries to ask in regards to the crimes she and Epstein dedicated, in addition to questions bout potential co-conspirators. We sincerely wish to get to the reality for the American individuals and justice for survivors.”
Comer stated the committee has 5 extra depositions scheduled as a part of its investigation into Epstein. Amongst these set to testify are three members of Epstein’s inside circle: Les Wexner, who was one in every of his shoppers and a longtime benefactor; Richard Kahn, his accountant; and Darren Indyke, his lawyer, Comer stated.
David Markus, Maxwell’s legal professional, learn a assertion to the Oversight panel. He stated his consumer needed to stay silent due to a pending authorized petition filed with the federal court docket in New York. However he stated the committee might hear from Maxwell if she obtained clemency.
“If this committee and the American public actually wish to hear the unfiltered fact about what occurred, there’s a easy path. Ms. Maxwell is ready to talk totally and actually if granted clemency by President Trump,” Markus stated. “Solely she will present the whole account. Some might not like what they hear, however the fact issues. For instance, each President Trump and President Clinton are harmless of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can clarify why, and the general public is entitled to that rationalization.”
Rep. Robert Garcia, the highest Democrat on the Oversight Committee, prompt Maxwell was making an attempt to guard others by refusing to reply questions and stated she was given “particular remedy” by the Trump administration. Maxwell was transferred from a low-security correctional institute in Florida to a minimal safety jail camp in Texas after assembly with Deputy Lawyer Common Todd Blanche final summer season.
“After months of defying our subpoena, Ghislaine Maxwell lastly appeared earlier than the Oversight Committee and stated nothing. She answered no questions and offered no details about the lads who raped and trafficked girls and ladies,” Garcia stated in a press release.
Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, informed reporters following the deposition that Maxwell’s lawyer stated she has no indication that both Mr. Trump or former President Invoice Clinton are culpable for any wrongdoing.
However Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat from Virginia, stated Maxwell’s provide to talk on the document to absolve Mr. Trump and Clinton are a part of an effort to drum up assist from each events for clemency.
“That is all technique for her to attempt to get a pardon from President Trump, and he or she’s by no means proven any regret for the victims on this complete case,” he informed reporters, including that Maxwell was “unrepentant” and “robotic” in her look earlier than lawmakers.
Maxwell was convicted of federal sex-trafficking expenses in 2021 for her position in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse minor ladies with Epstein. She is serving a 20-year jail sentence.
The Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell for testimony in July 2025. Quickly after, Markus informed Comer in a letter that she could be prepared to reply questions from the committee in the event that they granted her immunity or if she obtained clemency from Mr. Trump. With out these assurances, Markus stated Maxwell must invoke her Fifth Modification rights.
The dearth of solutions from Maxwell stands in distinction to the interview that she participated in with Blanche final July. The interview spanned two days, and Maxwell answered questions on her relationship with Epstein and others in his orbit, based on a transcript launched by the Justice Division. She was moved to the jail camp in Bryan, Texas, shortly after the assembly with Blanche, and no motive was given for Maxwell’s switch.
Prosecutors put Maxwell on the middle of Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring and stated that for roughly a decade, she helped him recruit, groom and abuse victims who had been below the age of 18. She reveals up extensively in information launched by the Justice Division in latest months below the Epstein Information Transparency Act. The legislation, handed by Congress and signed by Mr. Trump in November, required the Justice Division to make public all of its materials associated to its investigations into Epstein and Maxwell.
As a part of its personal probe of Epstein’s case, the Oversight Committee has demanded paperwork from the Justice Division and Epstein’s property. It additionally issued subpoenas to a slew of former attorneys common and FBI administrators, in addition to Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Whereas the Clintons initially rebuffed the calls for for his or her testimony, calling the subpoenas “invalid and legally unenforceable,” they agreed to seem for depositions later this month after dealing with a contempt of Congress vote.
