In the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, something curious is happening. Ghislaine Maxwell, the late sex offender's accomplice, is being 'interviewed' by US officials on Thursday and Friday (July 24–25) near a Florida jail where she's serving a 20-year sentence for her crimes. This unprecedented interaction is purportedly for finding out if she knew about more people involved in Epstein's vast sex trafficking operation. But doubts are being raised whether this is to silence her, or to make her talk and reveal names. The tricky part is, politicians on both sides - Democratic former president Bill Clinton as well as current Republican President Donald Trump, for instance - were 'friends' with Epstein. How damning would it be for political and business figures if Maxwell, who also reportedly expressed interest in speaking to US lawmakers, reveals more names? With speculation about a yet-revealed 'client list' of Epstein still doing the rounds, what is in it for Maxwell to sing? Here is a detailed analysis of what happened to Maxwell, and why her words could bring down some very influential people.<h2>Details about Ghislaine Maxwell interview with US Department of Justice</h2>The DoJ met Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida. The meeting was initiated by Maxwell, according to reports. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s direction, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana met Maxwell. Also present was Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus, who described the meeting as ‘very productive,’ in which Maxwell answered every question 'truthfully, honestly, and to the best of her ability' without invoking privilege or refusing to respond. Their first meeting on Thursday lasted nearly six hours, and a second follow-up meeting is scheduled for Friday.<h2>Why is DoJ meeting Ghislaine Maxwell?</h2>The reluctance of Trump administration to release all documents related to the Epstein case, now called 'Epstein files' - and the lack of anything new in the two tranches of documents it shared recently, have led to criticism. Even Trump's MAGA base is demanding new material and transparency, whereas Trump himself dismissed it as the 'Epstein hoax'. &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/-will-ghislaine-maxwell-reveal-the-truth-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-client-list-1752750879595/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/-will-ghislaine-maxwell-reveal-the-truth-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-client-list-1752750879595/embed</a>&nbsp;

The DoJ, in a July 6 joint statement with FBI, claimed that there is no new evidence to implicate anyone other than Epstein and Maxwell. This is prima facie false, as such a vast cross-border and cross-country sex trafficking operation of Epstein could not have existed without anyone else participating in it as clients or partners in crime.<h2>The Maxwell - DoJ meeting revealed nothing new, as of now</h2>Interestingly, neither the DoJ nor Maxwell's lawyer revealed the contents of the conversation. Blanche did not share any substantive information, only saying it will be done 'at the appropriate time.' No specifics are out on what Maxwell disclosed, with her attorney Markus declining comment for 'obvious reasons.'Note that Blanche is a former attorney for Trump.<h2>Will anyone believe Ghislaine Maxwell?</h2>It is a tough call. Maxwell’s history of alleged perjury in court, and motivation for sentence reduction or clemency, are leading people to doubt her reliability. She is probably seeking a reduction in her sentence, or even a pardon, in return for information and cooperation with DoJ. This then leads to the question: Will she only rat out the names that the DoJ wants, making it a selective list that does not name anyone close to Trump, his business interests and political allies?<h2>Will Maxwell escape her sentence after cooperating with DoJ on Epstein case?</h2>It all depends on what kind of information is shared. If she is given any leniency, it would be safe to assume that she did not give any details unpalatable to the Trump administration.But so far, no indication of her sentence adjustment has come out.Maxwell’s brother Ian, meanwhile, had indicated that she is ‘compiling new evidence of ’government misconduct' related to her 2021 trial'.<h2>Will Maxwell testify publicly before Congress?</h2>The House Oversight Committee voted on July 23 to subpoena Maxwell for testimony. If it happens in public, it could be explosive. Maxwell might play her cards and seek a pardon in exchange for such testimony.The development took place even as a Florida federal judge rejected a DOJ request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts.<h2>What are the charges against Ghislaine Maxwell? What is she sentenced for?</h2>Maxwell, who was arrested in the US after months of hiding, was sentenced on 28 June 2022 to 20 years in prison for facilitating Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls. The charges related to sexual abuse of minors between 1994 and 2004, and included sex trafficking, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Her appeal was rejected in September 2024. Maxwell’s lawyers plan to appeal to the US Supreme Court.&nbsp;<h2>Political slugfest over Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein files</h2>There is a vast amount of distrust regarding the Epstein files. Democrats have accused the DoJ of using its meetings with Maxwell as a delay tactic to avoid releasing the full files. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced an early recess, which delayed a vote on releasing more of the files. This fueled conspiracy suspicions, even among Trump supporters. The DOJ’s outreach is being slammed as politically motivated.&nbsp;

At any rate, this case is not just about Maxwell or Epstein, who died of apparent suicide in his New York jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial.It has become a political issue, with public sentiment swaying both ways. Maxwell’s credibility is questioned due to her prior conduct and motives. &nbsp;

Will Maxwell reveal only the names that the DoJ wants, making it a selective list that does not name anyone close to Trump, his business interests and political allies?

In the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, something curious is happening. Ghislaine Maxwell, the late sex offender's accomplice, is being 'interviewed' by US officials on Thursday and Friday (July 24–25) near a Florida jail where she's serving a 20-year sentence for her crimes. This unprecedented interaction is purportedly for finding out if she knew about more people involved in Epstein's vast sex trafficking operation. But doubts are being raised whether this is to silence her, or to make her talk and reveal names. The tricky part is, politicians on both sides - Democratic former president Bill Clinton as well as current Republican President Donald Trump, for instance - were 'friends' with Epstein. How damning would it be for political and business figures if Maxwell, who also reportedly expressed interest in speaking to US lawmakers, reveals more names? With speculation about a yet-revealed 'client list' of Epstein still doing the rounds, what is in it for Maxwell to sing? Here is a detailed analysis of what happened to Maxwell, and why her words could bring down some very influential people. Details about Ghislaine Maxwell interview with US Department of Justice The DoJ met Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida. The meeting was initiated by Maxwell, according to reports. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s direction, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana met Maxwell. Also present was Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus, who described the meeting as ‘very productive,’ in which Maxwell answered every question 'truthfully, honestly, and to the best of her ability' without invoking privilege or refusing to respond. Their first meeting on Thursday lasted nearly six hours, and a second follow-up meeting is scheduled for Friday. Why is DoJ meeting Ghislaine Maxwell? The reluctance of Trump administration to release all documents related to the Epstein case, now called 'Epstein files' - and the lack of anything new in the two tranches of documents it shared recently, have led to criticism. Even Trump's MAGA base is demanding new material and transparency, whereas Trump himself dismissed it as the 'Epstein hoax'. https://www.wionews.com/videos/-will-ghislaine-maxwell-reveal-the-truth-about-jeffrey-epstein-s-client-list-1752750879595/embed

Will Maxwell reveal only the names that the DoJ wants, making it a selective list that does not name anyone close to Trump, his business interests and political allies?

DOJ interviews Ghislaine Maxwell: If she sings, heads will roll but can she? What's in it for her?

Epstein files client list issue: The lack of any significantly new information in the recent releases related to Jeffrey Epstein has only added to the intrigue about the sex offender who died in an apparent suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. The US Justice Department's recent memo insisting that there is ‘no client list’ kept by the late financier is resurrecting conspiracy theories about the Epstein case. Critics of the Trump administration had called the February 2025 release of redacted material a disappointing publicity stunt. The redactions were purportedly for protecting the identities of the victims, many of whom were underage. There has been much talk about a ‘phase 2’ release of more material, but suddenly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Kash Patel, seems not too keen.The lack of a clear timeline is contributing to the conspiracy theories, much of it on social media. People like Elon Musk, the friend-turned-critic of Trump and his administration, are adding new dimensions to the conspiracy theories, practically every week.<h2>'400-page client list': The top Epstein conspiracy theory</h2>It was Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, who stirred a hornet's nest by claiming initially that there was a ‘client list’ and “tens of thousands” of videos linked to the Epstein sex abuse, prostitution and trafficking cases. &nbsp;But the DoJ memo and FBI chief Patel contradicted it, leading to questions about their credibility and intent. There are claims on social media about the existence of the ‘client list’, running into more than 400 pages.&nbsp;The theory is that Epstein used this client list to blackmail people who allegedly took part in his sex trafficking activities. In its memo this month, the Justice Department said no such list exists, contradicting Bondi’s claim of having reviewed such a list..&nbsp; Even politicians from Trump's own Republican party, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rogan O’Handley, attacked it as a ‘shameful coverup to protect heinous elites.’<h2>Epstein conspiracy theories: The secret FBI vault</h2>Another recurring claim is about a secret ‘public vault’ containing evidence material on the Epstein case. Some 12,000 pages of material in text, &nbsp;as well as audio, video, and forensic data are stored in a secure vault in Manhattan’s Jacob K Javits Federal Building, according to the claims, which are not verified or confirmed by any official sources.Even if the information in this so-called vault is released, much of it would still be heavily redacted. It is not clear if all material has been made public, as Bondi has talked bout ‘thousands of pages’ withheld by the FBI’s New York field office and mentioned ‘tens of thousands’ of videos.<h2>Epstein conspiracy theories: Where is the 300 GB of data gone?</h2>The memo issued by the Justice Department earlier this month said searches on properties linked to Epstein uncovered ‘300 gigabytes of data’, and physical evidence.&nbsp; This naturally led to the question: if there's 300 GB of data, where are the files?&nbsp; Why are they not being made public?<h2>'Murder cover-up': Epstein prison cell video stokes more conspiracy theories&nbsp;</h2>Epstein, who at various points in his life had met Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump before he was US president, has been the subject of conspiracy theories since his 2019 prison cell death while awaiting trial for a host of crimes, including sex trafficking.&nbsp;This month, the justice department released nearly 11 hours of CCTV footage from outside his prison cell ahead of Epstein's death on 10 August 2019. But soon, online sleuths found out that the footage was not raw as claimed, and had been edited multiple times, with some crucial moments possibly removed from the camera feed.&nbsp;Soon after Epstein was found dead at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, conspiracy theorists had speculated that he was murdered to silence him about high-profile individuals involved in his sex crimes. &nbsp; The alleged editing of the CCTV footage only intensified these theories. Epstein's autopsy had recorded broken neck bones. This then led to questions as to whether Epstein died of strangulation or hanging, since such signs could be a result of both. &nbsp;<h2>Epstein conspiracy theories: Accusations of protecting the elites</h2>Social media is awash with theories that the heavy redaction of material and the lack of any incriminating stuff against the rich or the famous people who knew Epstein pointed to ‘elite protection.’&nbsp; They say that the potentially incriminating files are locked in a vault controlled by a ‘black hat group’ within the FBI.&nbsp; Musk claimed in June in a since-deleted post that Trump himself appeared in the unreleased files.<h2>‘Epstein was an intelligence agent’: A wild conspiracy theory</h2>One of the wildest speculations is that Epstein was involved with the US intelligence, either as a foreign or domestic agent. The claim is that Epstein's crimes were shielded by the US intelligence agency CIA or the Israeli spy agency Mossad. This was put forth as a question at an official briefing, which Pondi dismissed.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-rise-between-doj-and-fbi-over-epstein-case-files-1752312613759/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-rise-between-doj-and-fbi-over-epstein-case-files-1752312613759/embed</a><h2>Information suppression theories on Epstein case files</h2>Interestingly, the lack of any new revelations in the ‘phase 1’ release of material in February this year and the Justice Department memo earlier this month is leading to criticism from Trump's own camp.&nbsp;Key figures in the MAGA movement like Laura Loomer and Alex Jones slammed Bondi and FBI's Patel and Dan Bongino, claiming that they were part of a conspiracy to suppress information. &nbsp;<h2>Epstein case is being politicised via these conspiracy theories</h2>From what has been reported so far, the Epstein files include flight logs, contact lists, evidence catalogues, court documents, and possibly video and audio. More than 11,000 pages are in the FBI vault, out of which 4,553 pages were released in 2024.&nbsp; With people like Musk using the Epstein case to attack Trump, the sex trafficking case has assumed political significance.&nbsp;Supporters of MAGA, Trump's Make America Great Again Movement, who were expecting more government transparency, are disappointed in the slow or redacted nature of revelations on the Epstein case.

There has been much talk about a ‘phase 2’ release of more material in the Epstein case, but suddenly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Kash Patel, seems not too keen. The lack of a clear timeline is contributing to the conspiracy theories. 

Epstein files client list issue: The lack of any significantly new information in the recent releases related to Jeffrey Epstein has only added to the intrigue about the sex offender who died in an apparent suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. The US Justice Department's recent memo insisting that there is ‘no client list’ kept by the late financier is resurrecting conspiracy theories about the Epstein case. Critics of the Trump administration had called the February 2025 release of redacted material a disappointing publicity stunt. The redactions were purportedly for protecting the identities of the victims, many of whom were underage. There has been much talk about a ‘phase 2’ release of more material, but suddenly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Kash Patel, seems not too keen. The lack of a clear timeline is contributing to the conspiracy theories, much of it on social media. People like Elon Musk, the friend-turned-critic of Trump and his administration, are adding new dimensions to the conspiracy theories, practically every week. '400-page client list': The top Epstein conspiracy theory It was Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, who stirred a hornet's nest by claiming initially that there was a ‘client list’ and “tens of thousands” of videos linked to the Epstein sex abuse, prostitution and trafficking cases. But the DoJ memo and FBI chief Patel contradicted it, leading to questions about their credibility and intent. There are claims on social media about the existence of the ‘client list’, running into more than 400 pages. The theory is that Epstein used this client list to blackmail people who allegedly took part in his sex trafficking activities. In its memo this month, the Justice Department said no such list exists, contradicting Bondi’s claim of having reviewed such a list.. Even politicians from Trump's own Republican party, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rogan O’Handley, attacked it as a ‘shameful coverup to protect heinous elites.’ Epstein conspiracy theories: The secret FBI vault Another recurring claim is about a secret ‘public vault’ containing evidence material on the Epstein case. Some 12,000 pages of material in text, as well as audio, video, and forensic data are stored in a secure vault in Manhattan’s Jacob K Javits Federal Building, according to the claims, which are not verified or confirmed by any official sources. Even if the information in this so-called vault is released, much of it would still be heavily redacted. It is not clear if all material has been made public, as Bondi has talked bout ‘thousands of pages’ withheld by the FBI’s New York field office and mentioned ‘tens of thousands’ of videos. Epstein conspiracy theories: Where is the 300 GB of data gone? The memo issued by the Justice Department earlier this month said searches on properties linked to Epstein uncovered ‘300 gigabytes of data’, and physical evidence. This naturally led to the question: if there's 300 GB of data, where are the files? Why are they not being made public? 'Murder cover-up': Epstein prison cell video stokes more conspiracy theories Epstein, who at various points in his life had met Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump before he was US president, has been the subject of conspiracy theories since his 2019 prison cell death while awaiting trial for a host of crimes, including sex trafficking. This month, the justice department released nearly 11 hours of CCTV footage from outside his prison cell ahead of Epstein's death on 10 August 2019. But soon, online sleuths found out that the footage was not raw as claimed, and had been edited multiple times, with some crucial moments possibly removed from the camera feed. Soon after Epstein was found dead at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, conspiracy theorists had speculated that he was murdered to silence him about high-profile individuals involved in his sex crimes. The alleged editing of the CCTV footage only intensified these theories. Epstein's autopsy had recorded broken neck bones. This then led to questions as to whether Epstein died of strangulation or hanging, since such signs could be a result of both. Epstein conspiracy theories: Accusations of protecting the elites Social media is awash with theories that the heavy redaction of material and the lack of any incriminating stuff against the rich or the famous people who knew Epstein pointed to ‘elite protection.’ They say that the potentially incriminating files are locked in a vault controlled by a ‘black hat group’ within the FBI. Musk claimed in June in a since-deleted post that Trump himself appeared in the unreleased files. ‘Epstein was an intelligence agent’: A wild conspiracy theory One of the wildest speculations is that Epstein was involved with the US intelligence, either as a foreign or domestic agent. The claim is that Epstein's crimes were shielded by the US intelligence agency CIA or the Israeli spy agency Mossad. This was put forth as a question at an official briefing, which Pondi dismissed. https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-rise-between-doj-and-fbi-over-epstein-case-files-1752312613759/embed Information suppression theories on Epstein case files Interestingly, the lack of any new revelations in the ‘phase 1’ release of material in February this year and the Justice Department memo earlier this month is leading to criticism from Trump's own camp. Key figures in the MAGA movement like Laura Loomer and Alex Jones slammed Bondi and FBI's Patel and Dan Bongino, claiming that they were part of a conspiracy to suppress information. Epstein case is being politicised via these conspiracy theories From what has been reported so far, the Epstein files include flight logs, contact lists, evidence catalogues, court documents, and possibly video and audio. More than 11,000 pages are in the FBI vault, out of which 4,553 pages were released in 2024. With people like Musk using the Epstein case to attack Trump, the sex trafficking case has assumed political significance. Supporters of MAGA, Trump's Make America Great Again Movement, who were expecting more government transparency, are disappointed in the slow or redacted nature of revelations on the Epstein case.

There has been much talk about a ‘phase 2’ release of more material in the Epstein case, but suddenly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Kash Patel, seems not too keen. The lack of a clear timeline is contributing to the conspiracy theories.&nbsp;

Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy theories: Secret FBI vault, 300 GB data, ‘400-page client list’, we haven't seen the last of it yet

The Jeffrey Epstein ghost is haunting America again. This time, it is the so-called Epstien Files, containing material and evidence that could potentially incriminate some high-level figures, has become a political flashpoint once again. President Donald Trump publicly admonished a journalist who asked a question about it. FBI director Kash Patel, who had promised to unseal all documents related to the late convicted sex trafficker and financier, seems to have downplayed what's there in the material. Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, had earlier indicated that there's a lot more material in the Epstien files. While the phase 1 tranche was released as promised by the Trump administration in February, it hardly contained anything new.&nbsp;&nbsp;What is there in the material that's yet to be released? Based on reports, the contents of Epstein files could run into more than 10,000 pages and thousands of hours of video footage, including child sex abuse material. Here is what we know:<h2>What's in the Epstein Files?</h2>The Epstein files refer to a variety of material: Documents, evidence collected from Epestien's estate and court records. Together, these tell the story of his sexual exploitation of more than 250 girls, mostly underage at the time, in states across the US- mainly New York and Florida - and an offshore private island. There is a political furore over the Trump administration's apparent reluctance to release the entire material. They include:<h2>Flight logs of the ‘Lolita Express’</h2>Epstein, who was the hedge fund manager to some of the most high-profile businesspeople, had a private jet, nicknamed ‘Lolita Express’. The flight logs of this plane is a crucial piece of evidence. Some of the logs are alerady out, partly discussed during the prosecution of Epstein's former companion Ghislaine Maxwell. Some high profile indiviuals are known to have travelled in that plane, but much of it is redacetd to protect victims' identities.<h2>The 'Black Book' containing possible client list</h2>Epstein is described in court documents as having facilitated sex for high-profile individuals with girls, often underage. His address book, a redacted version of which was released in February, contained several prominent individuals' names. Epstein moved in the top circles of finance, business, politics and entertainment, so it is natural for him to have several contacts in the Black Book. But it would be presumptuous to think that all of them were the clients of his sex trafficking network.<h2>‘Evidence list’ of things collected during the raids of Epstein's properties</h2>The evidence list is a catalogue containing what was collected by investigators from Epstein's properties, mainly in New York and his private island located in the US Virgin Islands. The US Little Saint James - also called 'Epstein Island' and 'Pedophile Island'- &nbsp;was the location to which Epstein used to fly his clients and underage girls for sexual encounters, according to court documents. Investigators raided the island after Epstein died in a New York Prison cell. The evidence list runs into only three pages. But some of the descriptions are shocking and hint at what could still be hidden from public view. The listed items included a CD marked 'girl pics nude book 4,' massage tables, photo albums including one marked 'photo album of girl and Epstein', copper handcuffs, a whip, recording devices, computers, hard drives, and memory sticks. Some $17,115 in cash was recovered in a bag during a raid in 2008, when Epstein was in jail in a trafficking case, which he managed to get out of. This evidence list was released in February, but not all the contents within the list.<h2>Masseuse List in Epstein Files</h2>The Phase 1 material released by the US Justice Department in February contained a masseuse list. It is mostly redacted, possibly because the masseuses were underage at the time.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/billionaires-bonhomie-blackmail-how-jeffrey-epstein-skirted-the-law-for-years-1752148838344/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/billionaires-bonhomie-blackmail-how-jeffrey-epstein-skirted-the-law-for-years-1752148838344/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>Court documents in the Epstein Files</h2>The various court documents that form part of the Epstein Files include material on the 2008 case in Florida, in which Epstein escaped with a minor sentence after pleading guilty to child prostitution charges. The other court documents include the 2019 federal sex trafficking charges and lawsuits filed against Epstein and Maxwell. The most high-profile among these is the suit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell and Briain's Prince Andrew. The court documents include allegations of abuse and victim depositions.<h2>‘Thousands of ’ videos and photos in Epstein Files</h2>Probably the massive piece of evidence that will never come to light is the reported ‘tens of thousands’ of videos and photos, whose existence is doubted. Some of it could contain child sex abuse material. A court document from 2023 said that such content was found at Epstein’s estate. But indictments against Epstein do not mention these. US Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed earlier this year that the videos exist, while FBI chief Kash Patel has since downplayed it.<h2>Surveillance footage of Epstein Files</h2>The Justice Department this month released nearly 11 hours of CCTV footage from Epstein’s cell the night before his death. DoJ claimed it was raw footage, but digital forensic analysts said it had been edited using Adobe Premiere Pro, and pointed out that a minute of footage around midnight was missing.&nbsp;

Based on reports, the contents Epstein files could run into more than 10,000 pages and thousands of hours of video footage including child sex abuse material. Here is what we know 

The Jeffrey Epstein ghost is haunting America again. This time, it is the so-called Epstien Files, containing material and evidence that could potentially incriminate some high-level figures, has become a political flashpoint once again. President Donald Trump publicly admonished a journalist who asked a question about it. FBI director Kash Patel, who had promised to unseal all documents related to the late convicted sex trafficker and financier, seems to have downplayed what's there in the material. Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, had earlier indicated that there's a lot more material in the Epstien files. While the phase 1 tranche was released as promised by the Trump administration in February, it hardly contained anything new. What is there in the material that's yet to be released? Based on reports, the contents of Epstein files could run into more than 10,000 pages and thousands of hours of video footage, including child sex abuse material. Here is what we know: What's in the Epstein Files? The Epstein files refer to a variety of material: Documents, evidence collected from Epestien's estate and court records. Together, these tell the story of his sexual exploitation of more than 250 girls, mostly underage at the time, in states across the US- mainly New York and Florida - and an offshore private island. There is a political furore over the Trump administration's apparent reluctance to release the entire material. They include: Flight logs of the ‘Lolita Express’ Epstein, who was the hedge fund manager to some of the most high-profile businesspeople, had a private jet, nicknamed ‘Lolita Express’. The flight logs of this plane is a crucial piece of evidence. Some of the logs are alerady out, partly discussed during the prosecution of Epstein's former companion Ghislaine Maxwell. Some high profile indiviuals are known to have travelled in that plane, but much of it is redacetd to protect victims' identities. The 'Black Book' containing possible client list Epstein is described in court documents as having facilitated sex for high-profile individuals with girls, often underage. His address book, a redacted version of which was released in February, contained several prominent individuals' names. Epstein moved in the top circles of finance, business, politics and entertainment, so it is natural for him to have several contacts in the Black Book. But it would be presumptuous to think that all of them were the clients of his sex trafficking network. ‘Evidence list’ of things collected during the raids of Epstein's properties The evidence list is a catalogue containing what was collected by investigators from Epstein's properties, mainly in New York and his private island located in the US Virgin Islands. The US Little Saint James - also called 'Epstein Island' and 'Pedophile Island'- was the location to which Epstein used to fly his clients and underage girls for sexual encounters, according to court documents. Investigators raided the island after Epstein died in a New York Prison cell. The evidence list runs into only three pages. But some of the descriptions are shocking and hint at what could still be hidden from public view. The listed items included a CD marked 'girl pics nude book 4,' massage tables, photo albums including one marked 'photo album of girl and Epstein', copper handcuffs, a whip, recording devices, computers, hard drives, and memory sticks. Some $17,115 in cash was recovered in a bag during a raid in 2008, when Epstein was in jail in a trafficking case, which he managed to get out of. This evidence list was released in February, but not all the contents within the list. Masseuse List in Epstein Files The Phase 1 material released by the US Justice Department in February contained a masseuse list. It is mostly redacted, possibly because the masseuses were underage at the time. https://www.wionews.com/videos/billionaires-bonhomie-blackmail-how-jeffrey-epstein-skirted-the-law-for-years-1752148838344/embed Court documents in the Epstein Files The various court documents that form part of the Epstein Files include material on the 2008 case in Florida, in which Epstein escaped with a minor sentence after pleading guilty to child prostitution charges. The other court documents include the 2019 federal sex trafficking charges and lawsuits filed against Epstein and Maxwell. The most high-profile among these is the suit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell and Briain's Prince Andrew. The court documents include allegations of abuse and victim depositions. ‘Thousands of ’ videos and photos in Epstein Files Probably the massive piece of evidence that will never come to light is the reported ‘tens of thousands’ of videos and photos, whose existence is doubted. Some of it could contain child sex abuse material. A court document from 2023 said that such content was found at Epstein’s estate. But indictments against Epstein do not mention these. US Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed earlier this year that the videos exist, while FBI chief Kash Patel has since downplayed it. Surveillance footage of Epstein Files The Justice Department this month released nearly 11 hours of CCTV footage from Epstein’s cell the night before his death. DoJ claimed it was raw footage, but digital forensic analysts said it had been edited using Adobe Premiere Pro, and pointed out that a minute of footage around midnight was missing.

Based on reports, the contents Epstein files could run into more than 10,000 pages and thousands of hours of video footage including child sex abuse material. Here is what we know&nbsp;

CD marked 'girl pics nude', thousands of videos, flight log, masseuse list: What is in Epstein Files?

Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly prepared to testify before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein’s secret files, amid criticism against US Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Daily Mail UK has reported.Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, has appealed her conviction to the US Supreme Court. The DOJ’s response is due by July 14.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-sounds-like-you-re-in-the-list-maga-turns-on-trump-s-fbi-chief-kash-patel-over-epstein-files-1752425713913">‘Sounds like you’re in the list’: MAGA turns on Trump's FBI chief Kash Patel over Epstein files</a><h2>‘She would welcome the chance to tell her story’</h2>A source close to Maxwell told Daily Mail that the 63-year-old former socialite is open to testifying before Congress. “She would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story,” the source said. “She remains the only person to be jailed in connection to Epstein and she would welcome the chance to tell the American public the truth.”The source added, “Despite the rumours, Ghislaine was never offered any kind of plea deal. No one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows.”"This is a critical moment, a do or die moment. Ghislaine believes she has multiple grounds for appeal," the unnamed Department of Justice source added.<h2>Why is Maxwell appealing?</h2>Maxwell was convicted in 2022 for helping Epstein sexually abuse several underage girls over the span of a decade. She argues her prosecution violated a 2007 non-prosecution agreement granted to Epstein, which she claims should have protected her as well. She maintains that she is innocent and insists she should have never been charged.<h2>Claims of missing footage, no ‘client list’ raise more questions</h2>The Epstein scandal continues to cause political fallout. The DOJ recently claimed there is no ‘client list’ and that Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019. But critics have pointed out that video footage from inside the jail is incomplete, with key minutes missing and no view of Epstein’s cell door.This has fuelled conspiracy theories and angered Trump’s MAGA base, many of whom now accuse Pam Bondi of failing to keep her promise of transparency over the Epstein files.<h2>Trump, Elon Musk respond to Epstein ‘cover-up’ claims</h2>On Truth Social, Donald Trump hit back at Epstein-related allegations, writing, “For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again. Why are we not giving publicity to files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan and the losers and criminals of the Biden administration?”Meanwhile, Elon Musk has claimed the cover-up exists because Trump is mentioned in the Epstein files. However, a source close to Maxwell told Daily Mail this was a “false flag”, and that Trump had broken contact with Epstein early on.<h2>No new prosecutions expected, DOJ says</h2>The DOJ has also said it is unlikely anyone else will be prosecuted in relation to the Epstein case. That includes Prince Andrew, who settled a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of having sex with her while she was underage, a claim he has always denied. Giuffre died earlier this year in what has been described as suicide.Maxwell’s Supreme Court appeal is still pending, and the DOJ’s official response is expected by July 14. “Congressional hearings have been held into everything from JFK’s assassination to 9/11. The Epstein files rank up there with those cases,” the source told Daily Mail.

Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, has appealed her conviction to the US Supreme Court. The DOJ’s response is due by July 14.

Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly prepared to testify before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein’s secret files, amid criticism against US Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Daily Mail UK has reported. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, has appealed her conviction to the US Supreme Court. The DOJ’s response is due by July 14. Also read: ‘Sounds like you’re in the list’: MAGA turns on Trump's FBI chief Kash Patel over Epstein files ‘She would welcome the chance to tell her story’ A source close to Maxwell told Daily Mail that the 63-year-old former socialite is open to testifying before Congress. “She would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story,” the source said. “She remains the only person to be jailed in connection to Epstein and she would welcome the chance to tell the American public the truth.” The source added, “Despite the rumours, Ghislaine was never offered any kind of plea deal. No one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows.” "This is a critical moment, a do or die moment. Ghislaine believes she has multiple grounds for appeal," the unnamed Department of Justice source added. Why is Maxwell appealing? Maxwell was convicted in 2022 for helping Epstein sexually abuse several underage girls over the span of a decade. She argues her prosecution violated a 2007 non-prosecution agreement granted to Epstein, which she claims should have protected her as well. She maintains that she is innocent and insists she should have never been charged. Claims of missing footage, no ‘client list’ raise more questions The Epstein scandal continues to cause political fallout. The DOJ recently claimed there is no ‘client list’ and that Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019. But critics have pointed out that video footage from inside the jail is incomplete, with key minutes missing and no view of Epstein’s cell door. This has fuelled conspiracy theories and angered Trump’s MAGA base, many of whom now accuse Pam Bondi of failing to keep her promise of transparency over the Epstein files. Trump, Elon Musk respond to Epstein ‘cover-up’ claims On Truth Social, Donald Trump hit back at Epstein-related allegations, writing, “For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again. Why are we not giving publicity to files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan and the losers and criminals of the Biden administration?” Meanwhile, Elon Musk has claimed the cover-up exists because Trump is mentioned in the Epstein files. However, a source close to Maxwell told Daily Mail this was a “false flag”, and that Trump had broken contact with Epstein early on. No new prosecutions expected, DOJ says The DOJ has also said it is unlikely anyone else will be prosecuted in relation to the Epstein case. That includes Prince Andrew, who settled a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of having sex with her while she was underage, a claim he has always denied. Giuffre died earlier this year in what has been described as suicide. Maxwell’s Supreme Court appeal is still pending, and the DOJ’s official response is expected by July 14. “Congressional hearings have been held into everything from JFK’s assassination to 9/11. The Epstein files rank up there with those cases,” the source told Daily Mail.

Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, has appealed her conviction to the US Supreme Court. The DOJ’s response is due by July 14.

Ghislaine Maxwell ready to reveal ‘truth’ about Epstein client list? Epstein’s ex faces ‘do or die’ moment as Supreme Court appeal looms

Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates have become public knowledge. On Wednesday (Jan&nbsp;3rd), a&nbsp;New York judge began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to&nbsp;the US financier,&nbsp;who had committed suicide a couple of years back.

This comes as last month (on Dec 18), Manhattan federal court judge Loretta Preska ordered the New York Court to "unseal in full" the names of around 180 people associated with Epstein.

Here's everything you need to know about financier Epstein and the controversy that surrounds him...even after his death.

<h2>Unsealing names</h2>

Judge Preska's order is part of a defamation proceeding between Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, and known accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and plaintiff Virginia Giuffre, who had sued the duo in 2015.

The names of more than 150 associates mentioned&nbsp;in the lawsuit, many of them appearing under the pseudonym "John Doe" or "Jane Doe", are now being released, after their identities remained a secret from the public for so long. The rest of the names will be kept sealed&nbsp;as the individuals objected to them becoming public knowledge.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/stephen-hawking-visited-epsteins-disgraced-island-but-did-he-engage-is-underage-orgy-too-676444">Stephen Hawking visited Epstein's disgraced island but did he engage in 'underage orgy' too?</a>

The unsealing, as per AFP, includes names of Epstein's associates, suspected accomplices and his victims.

In December, noting that many of the names are already public due to interviews and other media coverage, the judge, as per CNS News, said that the substance in question was not salacious and should not be kept sealed.

However, given that some "J.Does" are minors and possible victims of the paramours, the Judge said their information would remain sealed.

Among Epstein's known associates are the Duke of York Prince Andrews, former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-clinton-likes-them-young-epstein-court-files-expose-former-us-presidents-dark-sexual-desires-676452">'Bill Clinton likes them young', claimed Epstein, unsealed court files show</a>

According to the ruling, the names were to be made public on January 1, 2024, individuals were given 14 days to appeal against the revelation of their names.&nbsp;

Court documents explicitly allowed "impacted Doe the opportunity to appeal."&nbsp;

<h2>The crimes of Jeffrey Epstein</h2>

Jeffrey Epstein was a financier with a powerful network in the United States and abroad. He has been accused of sexually assaulting minor girls and running a sex trafficking network with his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

In the 1990s, the duo reportedly exploited a large number of girls — some of them as young as 14 years, grooming them into having sex with wealthy clients.&nbsp;

The allegations of sexual battery against Jeffrey Epstein started in 2015, when a woman contacted Florida's Palm Beach Police Department, alleging that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to Epstein's manor by an older girl. She alleged that the teenager was paid $300 to undress.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrews-reputation-highly-damaged-after-involvement-in-jeffrey-epstein-case-experts-say-407435">Prince Andrew's reputation 'highly damaged' after involvement in Jeffrey Epstein case, experts say</a>

Following this, the Palm Beach Police began a thirteen-month undercover investigation of Epstein. This included a search of his home, which uncovered a large amount of pictures of young girls, along with two hidden cameras.&nbsp;

Soon, the FBI became involved, launching its own investigation nicknamed "Operation Leap Year". In June 2007, the federal agency submitted a 53-page indictment against him. Subsequently, Epstein agreed to plead guilty in Florida, registering as a sex offender.

In 2008, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a state charge of procuring for prostitution a girl below age 18.

On July 6, 2019, he was arrested on sex trafficking charges by the FBI-NYPD Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was jailed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.

A subsequent search of his Manhattan townhouse turned up evidence of sex trafficking, and also found "hundreds – and perhaps thousands – of sexually suggestive photographs of fully – or partially – nude females". On July 8, prosecutors with the Public Corruption Unit of the Southern District of New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex.

He sought release on bail, but the request was denied on July 18 by US District Judge Richard M Berman, who said Epstein posed a danger to the public and a serious flight risk to avoid prosecution.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiq4NPSt52DAxWMbGwGHXJrAb0QFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WcSnXuJPaOZAqHxCO7Qm2" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514" target="_blank">Ghislaine Maxwell claims&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein&nbsp;was murdered</a>

On July 23, 2019, he was found injured in his cell, with marks around his neck. Finally, awaiting trial over charges of one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage females, Epstein committed suicide in jail on August 10, 2019. Soon, Epstein's death became the subject of widespread controversy and debate. Many believe that his death was a homicide.

<h2>Virginia Giuffre v. Epstein and&nbsp;Virginia Giuffre v. Ghislaine Maxwell</h2>

As per British media reports, the defamation claim which dates back around nine years was settled in 2017. In an affidavit, Virginia&nbsp;Giuffre (then known as Virginia Roberts) alleged that at age 17, she was sexually trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. Giuffre said that she was used by Epstein and others, including Prince Andrews and retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiq4NPSt52DAxWMbGwGHXJrAb0QFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0J4hFOEjk8895kB-WvA9p7" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638" target="_blank">Who's Who in the&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein&nbsp;sex scandal</a>

She also claimed that the duo and others had sexually abused her and that the FBI may have been part of a cover-up against her.&nbsp;

Apart from this, numerous other cases were filed against him&nbsp;by alleged victims under pseudonyms and other entities.&nbsp;

His paramour, Maxwell, was convicted in December 2021 in New York of trafficking underage girls for sex and was sentenced in 2022 to a 20-year prison term.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates have become public knowledge. On Wednesday (Jan 3rd), a New York judge began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to the US financier, who had committed suicide a couple of years back.

Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates have become public knowledge. On Wednesday (Jan 3rd), a New York judge began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to the US financier, who had committed suicide a couple of years back. This comes as last month (on Dec 18), Manhattan federal court judge Loretta Preska ordered the New York Court to "unseal in full" the names of around 180 people associated with Epstein. Here's everything you need to know about financier Epstein and the controversy that surrounds him...even after his death. Unsealing names Judge Preska's order is part of a defamation proceeding between Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, and known accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and plaintiff Virginia Giuffre, who had sued the duo in 2015. The names of more than 150 associates mentioned in the lawsuit, many of them appearing under the pseudonym "John Doe" or "Jane Doe", are now being released, after their identities remained a secret from the public for so long. The rest of the names will be kept sealed as the individuals objected to them becoming public knowledge. Also read | Stephen Hawking visited Epstein's disgraced island but did he engage in 'underage orgy' too? The unsealing, as per AFP, includes names of Epstein's associates, suspected accomplices and his victims. In December, noting that many of the names are already public due to interviews and other media coverage, the judge, as per CNS News, said that the substance in question was not salacious and should not be kept sealed. However, given that some "J.Does" are minors and possible victims of the paramours, the Judge said their information would remain sealed. Among Epstein's known associates are the Duke of York Prince Andrews, former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. Also read | 'Bill Clinton likes them young', claimed Epstein, unsealed court files show According to the ruling, the names were to be made public on January 1, 2024, individuals were given 14 days to appeal against the revelation of their names. Court documents explicitly allowed "impacted Doe the opportunity to appeal." The crimes of Jeffrey Epstein Jeffrey Epstein was a financier with a powerful network in the United States and abroad. He has been accused of sexually assaulting minor girls and running a sex trafficking network with his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. In the 1990s, the duo reportedly exploited a large number of girls — some of them as young as 14 years, grooming them into having sex with wealthy clients. The allegations of sexual battery against Jeffrey Epstein started in 2015, when a woman contacted Florida's Palm Beach Police Department, alleging that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to Epstein's manor by an older girl. She alleged that the teenager was paid $300 to undress. Also read | Prince Andrew's reputation 'highly damaged' after involvement in Jeffrey Epstein case, experts say Following this, the Palm Beach Police began a thirteen-month undercover investigation of Epstein. This included a search of his home, which uncovered a large amount of pictures of young girls, along with two hidden cameras. Soon, the FBI became involved, launching its own investigation nicknamed "Operation Leap Year". In June 2007, the federal agency submitted a 53-page indictment against him. Subsequently, Epstein agreed to plead guilty in Florida, registering as a sex offender. In 2008, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a state charge of procuring for prostitution a girl below age 18. On July 6, 2019, he was arrested on sex trafficking charges by the FBI-NYPD Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was jailed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. A subsequent search of his Manhattan townhouse turned up evidence of sex trafficking, and also found "hundreds – and perhaps thousands – of sexually suggestive photographs of fully – or partially – nude females". On July 8, prosecutors with the Public Corruption Unit of the Southern District of New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex. He sought release on bail, but the request was denied on July 18 by US District Judge Richard M Berman, who said Epstein posed a danger to the public and a serious flight risk to avoid prosecution. Also read | Ghislaine Maxwell claims Jeffrey Epstein was murdered On July 23, 2019, he was found injured in his cell, with marks around his neck. Finally, awaiting trial over charges of one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage females, Epstein committed suicide in jail on August 10, 2019. Soon, Epstein's death became the subject of widespread controversy and debate. Many believe that his death was a homicide. Virginia Giuffre v. Epstein and Virginia Giuffre v. Ghislaine Maxwell As per British media reports, the defamation claim which dates back around nine years was settled in 2017. In an affidavit, Virginia Giuffre (then known as Virginia Roberts) alleged that at age 17, she was sexually trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. Giuffre said that she was used by Epstein and others, including Prince Andrews and retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz. Also read | Who's Who in the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal She also claimed that the duo and others had sexually abused her and that the FBI may have been part of a cover-up against her. Apart from this, numerous other cases were filed against him by alleged victims under pseudonyms and other entities. His paramour, Maxwell, was convicted in December 2021 in New York of trafficking underage girls for sex and was sentenced in 2022 to a 20-year prison term. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues ‘beyond the grave’. Here’s all you need to know

A couple of days after a federal judge announced the unsealing of names of over 170 people associated with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, one of his victims has come forward with a request.

A couple of days after a federal judge announced the unsealing of names of over 170 people associated with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, one of his victims has come forward with a request. The victim has asked the judge to keep her identity secret, saying she "lives in fear" for her safety. The anonymous victim, identified as "Doe 107" in the court documents filed the request through her attorney in front of Manhattan Federal Judge Loretta Preska. “She lives outside the United States in a culturally conservative country and lives in fear of her name being released," her attorney stated, adding that the victim "faces risks of physical harm". Although the victim was not one of the individuals referenced in the soon-to-be unsealed documents, her attorney sought clarification if the court had already decided not to reveal the woman's identity. Notably, the judge had requested Doe 107 to provide an affidavit that supported her claim that she faced risk of physical harm in her country and details concerning one of the hate mail she had received, by November 22. However, Doe 107 failed to turn in the affidavit by the deadline as she switched attorneys and the new legal representation wasn't aware of the cut-off. WATCH | Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein Release of documents Notably, on Monday, Judge Preska announced the release of long-sealed documents that are related to Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre who had brought a defamation suit against his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, back in 2015. Prior to the ruling, dozens of individuals, including some high-class personalities had only been identified as "Jane Does” or “John Does” in various court filings linked to the suit. Also read | Explained | Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues ‘beyond the grave’. Here’s all you need to know Noting that many of the names are already public due to interviews and other media coverage, the judge, as per CNS News, said that the substance in question was not salacious and should not be kept sealed. The individuals, whose names appear in the documents have been given 14 days to appeal the decision, the court documents reveal. The documents related to the case have slowly trickled into the public since 2019 when the first batch was released, days before Epstein allegedly hanged himself in prison, awaiting trial. (With inputs from agencies)

Jeffrey Epstein victim 'Doe 107' urges court not to release her name in soon-to-be unsealed documents

Over 170 people associated with disgraced paedophile Jeffery Epstein will be named in court documents, set to be released early next year. Judge Loretta Preska on Monday (Dec 18) announced the release of long-sealed documents that are related to Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre who had brought a defamation suit against his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, back in 2015.

Over 170 people associated with disgraced paedophile Jeffery Epstein will be named in court documents, set to be released early next year. Judge Loretta Preska on Monday (Dec 18) announced the release of long-sealed documents that are related to Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre who had brought a defamation suit against his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, back in 2015. Prior to the ruling, dozens of individuals, including some high-class personalities had only been identified as "Jane Does” or “John Does” in various court filings linked to the suit. The individuals, whose names appear in the documents have been given 14 days to appeal the decision, the court documents reveal. "The Court stays its order for fourteen days to permit any impacted Doe the opportunity to appeal, after which counsel are asked to confer, prepare the documents for unsealing pursuant to this order, and post the documents on the docket," read the verdict. According to reports, there will be unsealed documents about one of Prince Andrew's accusers, who claims he fondled her breasts at Epstein's New York mansion. The documents related to the case have slowly trickled into the public since 2019 when the first batch was released, days before Epstein allegedly hanged himself in prison, awaiting trial. There has been a long-brewing conspiracy that the high-profile names that were in contact with Epstein had managed to keep their names behind redacted lines due to their power and influence. WATCH | Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein What did Epstein do? Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the 72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016 and brought his victims there using a private jet. Several associates of Epstein are believed to have arrived on the island and participated in similar sexual misadventures. Also read | JPMorgan settles Epstein sex trafficking lawsuit with US Virgin Islands, to pay $75million After Epstein's alleged suicide, Maxwell was arrested in the United States and charged with sex trafficking minors for him on July 2, 2020. After a very public trial where Maxwell became the face of Epstein's sex-fuelled empire, she was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York in June, earlier this year. (With inputs from agencies)

New Year reveal: Over 170 high-profile people with links to Jeffrey Epstein to be named in unsealed court docs

US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has admitted that he flew on disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's infamous private jet twice, whilst adding that his then-wife had a relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell.

US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has admitted that he flew on disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's infamous private jet twice, whilst adding that his then-wife had a relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell. In an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, Kennedy made the revelation about his Epstein connection, one that could potentially have a significant impact on his presidential campaign. “I was on Jeffrey Epstein’s jet two times. I was on it in 1993 and I was on it in — and I went to Florida with my wife and two children to visit my mom over Easter,” he said, “My wife had some kind of relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, and they offered us a ride to Palm Beach,” said Kennedy, whose late ex-wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy died by suicide in 2012. Speaking about the second incident when he chauffeured Epstein's plane, Kennedy revealed: "I went then, and on another occasion I flew again with my family with, I think, four of my children and Mary, my wife, to Rapid City, South Dakota, to go fossil hunting for a weekend." He claimed that he had been "very open" about his relationship with Epstein and that he took the jet in 1993, almost 30 years before Epstein's crimes came out in the open. Kennedy, who is running as an independent in the presidential race, having quit the Democratic primary bid party earlier this year, said he wanted real information regarding Epstein to come out in the public domain. “I agree with you that all of this information should be released, and we should get real answers on what happened to Jeffrey Epstein and any of the high-level political people that he was involved with, all of that should be open to the public, ” Kennedy said. “It should absolutely be transparent, and I don’t see why any of those records would have any redactions in them,” he said. “Why would we be hiding that from the American public?” Notably, this is not the first instance when Epstein has been linked to the Kennedy's. The criminal was once a guest at the high-profile wedding of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Kerry Kennedy. WATCH | Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein What did Epstein do? Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the 72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016 and brought his victims there using the private jet. Also read | JPMorgan settles Epstein sex trafficking lawsuit with US Virgin Islands, to pay $75million After Epstein's alleged suicide, Maxwell was arrested in the United States and charged with sex trafficking minors for him on July 2, 2020. After a very public trial where Maxwell became the face of Epstein's sex-fuelled empire, she was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York in June, earlier this year. (With inputs from agencies)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admits he flew on Epstein's 'infamous' jet twice & wife had 'relationship' with Maxwell

In what comes as a bombshell development, details about the relationship between disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have emerged. It appears that Epstein threatened Gates and tried to blackmail the billionaire over his extramarital affair with a Russian bridge player, a new report by the Wall Street Journal has claimed.&nbsp;

Titled "Jeffrey Epstein Appeared to Threaten Bill Gates Over Microsoft Co-Founder’s Affair With Russian Bridge Player", the report claims that Gates met a woman named Mila Antonova around 2010 when she was in her 20s and engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to&nbsp;his then-wife, Melinda French Gates

In a YouTube video from the same year,&nbsp;Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates.&nbsp;“I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said&nbsp;Antonova.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein threatened Bill Gates over alleged affairs

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jeffrey-epstein-threatened-bill-gates-over-alleged-affairs-595102/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>The threat by Epstein</h2>

Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to&nbsp;attend software coding school. She was&nbsp;looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and&nbsp;Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein.&nbsp;

Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business.&nbsp;

“The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/epsteins-private-islands-sold-to-billionaire-investor-for-60-million-588757">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million&nbsp;</a>

The threat&nbsp;stemmed from the fact that Epstein was unable to convince Gates to participate in a&nbsp;multibillion-dollar charitable fund that he was attempting to establish with banking giant JPMorgan Chase.&nbsp;

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Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a&nbsp;“successful businessman" who "wanted to help”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did,” Antonova said while declining to comment on her alleged relationship with Gates.&nbsp;

“Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that.

The report added that Epstein also provided an apartment for Antonova to stay in New York City in 2014.&nbsp;

<h2>Epstein's modus operandi</h2>

Two years after the mail, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking&nbsp;by federal prosecutors. His confidant Maxwell Ghislaine would also be dragged in the case but Epstein would die months later in custody in an apparent suicide.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virgin-islands-govt-unable-to-subpoena-googles-larry-page-in-jeffrey-epstein-lawsuit-590083">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Virgin Islands govt unable to subpoena Google's Larry Page in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit</a>

The new details&nbsp;reveal how Epstein managed to hide in plain sight over the years whilst engaging in his paedophilic, voyeuristic tendencies. He used information that could compromise the top businessmen and political leaders and used it to fuel his sex-trafficking empire.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In what comes as a bombshell development, details about the relationship between disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have emerged.

In what comes as a bombshell development, details about the relationship between disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have emerged. It appears that Epstein threatened Gates and tried to blackmail the billionaire over his extramarital affair with a Russian bridge player, a new report by the Wall Street Journal has claimed. Titled "Jeffrey Epstein Appeared to Threaten Bill Gates Over Microsoft Co-Founder’s Affair With Russian Bridge Player", the report claims that Gates met a woman named Mila Antonova around 2010 when she was in her 20s and engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates In a YouTube video from the same year, Antonova recounted playing in a tournament with Gates. “I didn’t beat him [Gates] but I tried to kick him with my leg," said Antonova. Watch | Jeffrey Epstein threatened Bill Gates over alleged affairs The threat by Epstein Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein. Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business. “The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein”. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million The threat stemmed from the fact that Epstein was unable to convince Gates to participate in a multibillion-dollar charitable fund that he was attempting to establish with banking giant JPMorgan Chase. Meet Mila Antonova, the young bridge player who Bill Gates had an affair with in 2010. Jeffrey Epstein found out about this affair and used it as leverage against Bill Gates. Bill Gates began having private meetings with Epstein in 2011, but Epstein didn’t find out about the… pic.twitter.com/4W6gTKx7WN — Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News 🙌 (@unhealthytruth) May 21, 2023 × Antonova told the Journal that she did meet Epstein but did not know who he was at the time, thinking he was just a “successful businessman" who "wanted to help”. “I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did,” Antonova said while declining to comment on her alleged relationship with Gates. “Epstein agreed to pay, and he paid directly to the school,” she added. “Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that. The report added that Epstein also provided an apartment for Antonova to stay in New York City in 2014. Epstein's modus operandi Two years after the mail, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by federal prosecutors. His confidant Maxwell Ghislaine would also be dragged in the case but Epstein would die months later in custody in an apparent suicide. ALSO READ | Virgin Islands govt unable to subpoena Google's Larry Page in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit The new details reveal how Epstein managed to hide in plain sight over the years whilst engaging in his paedophilic, voyeuristic tendencies. He used information that could compromise the top businessmen and political leaders and used it to fuel his sex-trafficking empire. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Did Jeffrey Epstein blackmail Bill Gates for affair with Russian woman? Shocking details revealed

Ghislaine Maxwell, a shamed sex trafficker and ex-British socialite,&nbsp;asked a US federal appeals court on Tuesday to overturn her conviction and sentence for helping late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls.&nbsp;

US media reported that Maxwell's lawyers argued that the 61-year-old didn't receive a fair trial and was apparently used as a scapegoat because Epstein evaded justice, revealed a filing with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-legislation-authorising-joe-biden-to-ban-tiktok-advances-567315">US: Legislation authorising Joe Biden to ban TikTok advances</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by ABC News, defence attorney Arthur Aidala said in a statement: "The government prosecuted Ms Maxwell as a proxy for Jeffrey Epstein. It did so to satisfy public outrage over an unpopular non-prosecution agreement and the death of the person responsible for the crimes."&nbsp;

Maxwell is currently facing a jail term in a Florida penitentiary. She was convicted and received a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls. Epstein killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting his trial.&nbsp;

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Maxwell's lawyers also argued that prosecutors had waited too long to charge her and had violated the statute of limitations. 
 
As quoted by ABC and Fox News, the filing said: "In its zeal to pin the blame for its own incompetence and for Epstein's crimes on Maxwell, the government breached its promise not to prosecute Maxwell, charged her with time-barred offenses, resurrected and recast decades-old allegations for conduct previously ascribed to Epstein and other named assistants, and joined forces with complainants' civil attorneys, whose interests were financial, to develop new allegations that would support charges against Maxwell."&nbsp; 
 
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Ghislaine Maxwell, a shamed sex trafficker and ex-British socialite, asked a US federal appeals court on Tuesday to overturn her conviction and sentence for helping late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls.

Ghislaine Maxwell, a shamed sex trafficker and ex-British socialite, asked a US federal appeals court on Tuesday to overturn her conviction and sentence for helping late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls. US media reported that Maxwell's lawyers argued that the 61-year-old didn't receive a fair trial and was apparently used as a scapegoat because Epstein evaded justice, revealed a filing with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan. ALSO READ | US: Legislation authorising Joe Biden to ban TikTok advances As quoted by ABC News, defence attorney Arthur Aidala said in a statement: "The government prosecuted Ms Maxwell as a proxy for Jeffrey Epstein. It did so to satisfy public outrage over an unpopular non-prosecution agreement and the death of the person responsible for the crimes." Maxwell is currently facing a jail term in a Florida penitentiary. She was convicted and received a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls. Epstein killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting his trial. × Maxwell's lawyers also argued that prosecutors had waited too long to charge her and had violated the statute of limitations. As quoted by ABC and Fox News, the filing said: "In its zeal to pin the blame for its own incompetence and for Epstein's crimes on Maxwell, the government breached its promise not to prosecute Maxwell, charged her with time-barred offenses, resurrected and recast decades-old allegations for conduct previously ascribed to Epstein and other named assistants, and joined forces with complainants' civil attorneys, whose interests were financial, to develop new allegations that would support charges against Maxwell." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jeffrey Epstein case: Ghislaine Maxwell appeals to overturn sex trafficking conviction

Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and longtime partner of disgraced late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, has claimed that the latter was murdered in prison. She told a British broadcaster in an interview that she believes that Epstein was murdered.

Epstein killed himself in a New York jail in August 2019 in the face of a pending trial over charges of trafficking underage girls for sex.&nbsp;

While the post mortem concluded suicide, the 66-year-old's sudden death led to several conspiracy theories.

"I believe that he was murdered," former socialite Maxwell said in the series of jailhouse interviews aired on Britain's TalkTV.

"I was shocked. Then I wondered how it had happened."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrews-photo-with-abuse-accuser-is-fake-claims-ghislaine-maxwell-554949">Prince Andrew's photo with abuse accuser is 'fake', claims Ghislaine Maxwell</a>

Epstein's brother had hired a forensic pathologist to investigate his death, who said in 2019 that all evidence points to murder. He said that multiple fractures were found on Epstein's neck and point to foul play.

A years-long investigation was conducted by the US Department of Justice to understand how was Epstein able to take his own life inside New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center. Its report did not conclude that anything was amiss.&nbsp;

Maxwell also insisted that she regrets having met Epstein ever, and that she did not know "he was so awful". She is appealing her 2021 conviction for trafficking minors for sex.

US prosecutors were able to prove during her trial in New York that Maxwell was integral to Epstein's scheme of enticing young girls to give him massages.&nbsp;

During the interview, Maxwell was given the opportunity to apologise to the victims. However, she did not take it up.

"Epstein has died and they should take their disappointment and upset out on the authorities that allowed that to happen," she replied.

"I hope that they have some closure via the judicial process that took place."

"And I wish them ... to be able to have a productive and good life going forward."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and longtime partner of disgraced late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, has claimed that the latter was murdered in prison.

Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and longtime partner of disgraced late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, has claimed that the latter was murdered in prison. She told a British broadcaster in an interview that she believes that Epstein was murdered. Epstein killed himself in a New York jail in August 2019 in the face of a pending trial over charges of trafficking underage girls for sex. While the post mortem concluded suicide, the 66-year-old's sudden death led to several conspiracy theories. "I believe that he was murdered," former socialite Maxwell said in the series of jailhouse interviews aired on Britain's TalkTV. "I was shocked. Then I wondered how it had happened." Also Read | Prince Andrew's photo with abuse accuser is 'fake', claims Ghislaine Maxwell Epstein's brother had hired a forensic pathologist to investigate his death, who said in 2019 that all evidence points to murder. He said that multiple fractures were found on Epstein's neck and point to foul play. A years-long investigation was conducted by the US Department of Justice to understand how was Epstein able to take his own life inside New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center. Its report did not conclude that anything was amiss. Maxwell also insisted that she regrets having met Epstein ever, and that she did not know "he was so awful". She is appealing her 2021 conviction for trafficking minors for sex. US prosecutors were able to prove during her trial in New York that Maxwell was integral to Epstein's scheme of enticing young girls to give him massages. During the interview, Maxwell was given the opportunity to apologise to the victims. However, she did not take it up. "Epstein has died and they should take their disappointment and upset out on the authorities that allowed that to happen," she replied. "I hope that they have some closure via the judicial process that took place." "And I wish them ... to be able to have a productive and good life going forward." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ghislaine Maxwell claims Jeffrey Epstein was murdered

Shamed sex trafficker and ex-British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell claimed that the infamous photograph of sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre with Britain's Prince Andrew is "fake".&nbsp;

A decades-old photo of Andrew and Giuffre together has been circulating&nbsp;in which he can be seen with his arm around Giuffre's waist and Maxwell standing next to them. It is said that the image was taken in London in 2001. The photo turned out to be crucial to the claim against the prince.&nbsp;

In a jailhouse interview, Maxwell also claimed that she has "no memory" of Andrew and Guiffre meeting. The prison interview with TalkTV is set to air in the UK on Monday evening.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-king-charles-iiis-3-day-coronation-plan-includes-processions-lunches-and-windsorconcert-554842">King Charles III's 3-day coronation plan includes processions, lunches and Windsor&nbsp;concert</a>&nbsp;

Her remarks came as an apparent defence for Andrew, who faced infamy and revulsion over claims of sexual assault accusations.&nbsp;

Giuffre had claimed that she had sex with Andrew when she was 17 - a minor as per US law. The 39-year-old also said that she was trafficked by Maxwell and late US financier Jeffrey Epstein to Andrew, younger brother of King Charles III.&nbsp;

Currently, Maxwell is facing a jail term in a Florida penitentiary. She was convicted&nbsp;and received a 20-year sentence for helping late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls.&nbsp;

Andrew has not been criminally charged and denied the allegations. Last year, he settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. Though, he stepped back from royal duties and was stripped of his military titles.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: King Charles 'upset' with Harry for insulting wife Camilla&nbsp;

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<h2>What did Ghislaine Maxwell say?&nbsp;</h2>

As quoted by the media outlets, she said: "It's a fake. I don't believe it's real for a second, in fact, I'm sure it's not. There's never been an original and further, there is no photograph. I've only ever seen a photocopy of it."&nbsp;

This interview came amid&nbsp;reports surfacing in the UK media that Andrew has been contacting lawyers in a bid to overturn the settlement he agreed with Giuffre.&nbsp;

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Shamed sex trafficker and ex-British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell claimed that the infamous photograph of sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre with Britain's Prince Andrew is "fake".

Shamed sex trafficker and ex-British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell claimed that the infamous photograph of sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre with Britain's Prince Andrew is "fake". A decades-old photo of Andrew and Giuffre together has been circulating in which he can be seen with his arm around Giuffre's waist and Maxwell standing next to them. It is said that the image was taken in London in 2001. The photo turned out to be crucial to the claim against the prince. In a jailhouse interview, Maxwell also claimed that she has "no memory" of Andrew and Guiffre meeting. The prison interview with TalkTV is set to air in the UK on Monday evening. ALSO READ | King Charles III's 3-day coronation plan includes processions, lunches and Windsor concert Her remarks came as an apparent defence for Andrew, who faced infamy and revulsion over claims of sexual assault accusations. Giuffre had claimed that she had sex with Andrew when she was 17 - a minor as per US law. The 39-year-old also said that she was trafficked by Maxwell and late US financier Jeffrey Epstein to Andrew, younger brother of King Charles III. Currently, Maxwell is facing a jail term in a Florida penitentiary. She was convicted and received a 20-year sentence for helping late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls. Andrew has not been criminally charged and denied the allegations. Last year, he settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. Though, he stepped back from royal duties and was stripped of his military titles. WATCH | Gravitas: King Charles 'upset' with Harry for insulting wife Camilla × What did Ghislaine Maxwell say? As quoted by the media outlets, she said: "It's a fake. I don't believe it's real for a second, in fact, I'm sure it's not. There's never been an original and further, there is no photograph. I've only ever seen a photocopy of it." This interview came amid reports surfacing in the UK media that Andrew has been contacting lawyers in a bid to overturn the settlement he agreed with Giuffre. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Prince Andrew's photo with abuse accuser is 'fake', claims Ghislaine Maxwell

Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking teenage girls. However, in a first-ever interview since being incarcerated, Maxwell has called disgraced Prince Andrew her 'dear friend'.

Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking teenage girls. However, in a first-ever interview since being incarcerated, Maxwell has called disgraced Prince Andrew her 'dear friend'. “I feel so bad for him. Yes, I follow what is happening to him. He is paying such a price for the association (with Jeffrey Epstein). I consider him a dear friend...I care about him,” said Maxwell in a rare interview with Daily Mail. When reminded that Prince Andrew and his lawyers rejected the claims that he was friends with her, Maxwell says, "I accept that this friendship could not survive my conviction." Read more: Timeline: Ghislaine Maxwell sex-trafficking scandal While Maxwell remains in prison, Prince Andrew has been able to avoid facing the judicial music, primarily due to the family he belongs to. However, in recent times, even that family has started distancing itself from the Duke of York. As reported by WION, in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II's demise, the royal family website had demoted Prince Andrew to the bottom of the royals' list. As for Maxwell, she continues to maintain that meeting Epstein was the biggest mistake of her life. “I said in my court statement that meeting Epstein was the greatest mistake of my life. And obviously, if I could go back today, I would avoid meeting him, and I would make different choices.” Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. Read more: Ghislaine Maxwell becomes 'bffs' with notorious double-murderer in jail After Epstein's alleged suicide, Maxwell was arrested in the United States and charged with sex trafficking minors for him on July 2, 2020. After a very public trial where Maxwell became the face of Epstein's sex-fuelled empire, she was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York in June, earlier this year. WATCH | Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years of prison × Although her lawyers asked the court for leniency due to trauma, judge Alison Nathan decided to hand out the sentence that was suggested by the US Probation Office. Earlier, the prosecutors in the case asked the court for a sentence between 30 and 55 years (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'He's a dear friend', says Ghislaine Maxwell about Prince Andrew in a rare prison interview

Convicted sex trafficker, alleged madame to the notorious financier Jeffery Epstein and now best friends with a murderer, former British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is out to scandalise people.

Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year term for sex trafficking and recruiting young girls for Epstein to molest, has suddenly become fast friends with Narcy Novack, one of the most notorious female murderers in the United States.

65-year-old Novack is in jail for the double murder of her husband and 87-year-old mother-in-law.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Lesser-known facts about Princess Diana on her 25th death anniversary

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Mirror reported that as per a source "Once inside, Ghislaine gravitated towards Narcy."

“Because of her length of time inside and the brutality of her crime, she is treated like a female don," and the friendship offers Maxwell some modicum of protection.

The source also said that "together, they (Novack and Maxwell) spend hours talking, laughing and joking."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-bride-shamima-begum-was-smuggled-into-syria-by-canadian-spy-claims-book-511713" hreflang="en">'IS bride' Shamima Begum was smuggled into Syria by Canadian spy, claims book</a>

As per a Jezebel report, apart from the "severely unflattering jumpsuit and crimes of the corrupt and formerly wealthy" given their ages and the wealth they come from "they were always destined to get on well."

If you're not familiar with the name Novack, let us fill you in. Narcy is the wife of Ben Novack Jr., the owner of Miami’s famed Fountainbleau hotel. After learning that her husband was having an affair with a porn star, in a fit of rage and scared that her husband will give the money to his mistress, Narcy devised a plan to murder both her husband and his elderly mother.

Ben was found murdered in a New York hotel room, his eyes gouged out, body bound, bludgeoned and suffocated to death. While the mother-in-law was found dead in her garage.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Convicted sex trafficker, alleged madame to the notorious financier Jeffery Epstein and now best friends with a murderer, former British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is out to scandalise people.

Convicted sex trafficker, alleged madame to the notorious financier Jeffery Epstein and now best friends with a murderer, former British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is out to scandalise people. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year term for sex trafficking and recruiting young girls for Epstein to molest, has suddenly become fast friends with Narcy Novack, one of the most notorious female murderers in the United States. 65-year-old Novack is in jail for the double murder of her husband and 87-year-old mother-in-law. Watch | Lesser-known facts about Princess Diana on her 25th death anniversary Mirror reported that as per a source "Once inside, Ghislaine gravitated towards Narcy." “Because of her length of time inside and the brutality of her crime, she is treated like a female don," and the friendship offers Maxwell some modicum of protection. The source also said that "together, they (Novack and Maxwell) spend hours talking, laughing and joking." Also read | 'IS bride' Shamima Begum was smuggled into Syria by Canadian spy, claims book As per a Jezebel report, apart from the "severely unflattering jumpsuit and crimes of the corrupt and formerly wealthy" given their ages and the wealth they come from "they were always destined to get on well." If you're not familiar with the name Novack, let us fill you in. Narcy is the wife of Ben Novack Jr., the owner of Miami’s famed Fountainbleau hotel. After learning that her husband was having an affair with a porn star, in a fit of rage and scared that her husband will give the money to his mistress, Narcy devised a plan to murder both her husband and his elderly mother. Ben was found murdered in a New York hotel room, his eyes gouged out, body bound, bludgeoned and suffocated to death. While the mother-in-law was found dead in her garage. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ghislaine Maxwell becomes 'bffs' with notorious double-murderer in jail

Ghislaine Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. She faced accusations that she facilitated sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. She recruited underage girls who were sexually abused by Epstein. The story of the case begins more than 20 years ago.

Ghislaine Maxwell gets two-decade jail sentence: A timeline

Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday. The court found her guilty of helping her then-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing minor girls.

Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison over sex trafficking

Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing girls. The Manhattan federal court announced the judgement after a long-drawn case, and this means that the 60-year-old will be spending a majority of her remaining life in prison. Maxwell, who is the daughter of late Robert Maxwell, was found guilty on five out of the six counts brought against her including sex trafficking of minors. The court found her guilty of helping her then-boyfriend Epstein in sexually abusing minor girls.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-would-halt-its-offensive-as-soon-as-ukraine-surrenders-kremlin-492727" hreflang="en">Russia would halt its offensive as soon as Ukraine surrenders: Kremlin</a>

Although her lawyers asked the court for leniency due to trauma, judge Alison Nathan decided to hand out the sentence that was suggested by the US Probation Office. Earlier, the prosecutors in the case asked the court for a sentence between 30 and 55 years, according to AFP.

"Today's sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children," Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said.

"This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and it is never too late for justice," he added in the judgement that marked a temporary end to the high-profile scandal.

Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and she has been in prison ever since. Epstein, who was arrested earlier, killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for crimes he committed in New York.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-parliament-elects-yael-braun-pivet-as-first-ever-woman-speaker-492738" hreflang="en">French parliament elects Yael Braun-Pivet as first ever woman speaker</a>

Maxwell’s lawyers tried to point out that Epstein’s death should be affect their client’s case.

"Ms Maxwell cannot and should not bear all the punishment for which Epstein should have been held responsible," the defence lawyers argued in front of the court.

However, the judge was convinced that she played a role in grooming minors for Epstein and even the defence lawyers agreed that Maxwell "was an adult who made her own choices."

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Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing girls. The Manhattan federal court announced the judgement after a long-drawn case, and this means that the 60-year-old will be spending a majority of her remaining life in prison.

Ghislaine Maxwell was handed a 20-year prison sentence by a court in New York on Tuesday for helping Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing girls. The Manhattan federal court announced the judgement after a long-drawn case, and this means that the 60-year-old will be spending a majority of her remaining life in prison. Maxwell, who is the daughter of late Robert Maxwell, was found guilty on five out of the six counts brought against her including sex trafficking of minors. The court found her guilty of helping her then-boyfriend Epstein in sexually abusing minor girls. Also read | Russia would halt its offensive as soon as Ukraine surrenders: Kremlin Although her lawyers asked the court for leniency due to trauma, judge Alison Nathan decided to hand out the sentence that was suggested by the US Probation Office. Earlier, the prosecutors in the case asked the court for a sentence between 30 and 55 years, according to AFP. "Today's sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children," Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said. "This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and it is never too late for justice," he added in the judgement that marked a temporary end to the high-profile scandal. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and she has been in prison ever since. Epstein, who was arrested earlier, killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for crimes he committed in New York. Also read | French parliament elects Yael Braun-Pivet as first ever woman speaker Maxwell’s lawyers tried to point out that Epstein’s death should be affect their client’s case. "Ms Maxwell cannot and should not bear all the punishment for which Epstein should have been held responsible," the defence lawyers argued in front of the court. However, the judge was convinced that she played a role in grooming minors for Epstein and even the defence lawyers agreed that Maxwell "was an adult who made her own choices." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK socialite Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison over sex trafficking

Britain's Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached and they’ll request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month.

As part of the agreement, the British royal will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims, Boies said.

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Giuffre had accused Andrew of assaulting her when she was 17 at the London home of socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, while she traveled with financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, 61, has denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/virginia-giuffre-who-is-she-and-what-are-her-allegations-against-prince-andrew-where-is-she-now-448084">Also see |&nbsp;Virginia Giuffre: Who is she and what are her allegations against Prince Andrew? Where is she now?</a>

The prince "never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks," the filing said.

"Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others," the filing added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-prince-andrew-to-prince-harry-these-british-royals-lost-their-titles-know-why-445100">Also see |&nbsp;From Prince Andrew to Prince Harry, these British Royals lost their titles. Know why</a>

"He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims."

Last month Andrew was stripped of his honorary military titles and charitable roles after New York Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss Giuffre's case.

In December, Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful.

Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. 
&nbsp;

Britain's Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre. Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached and they’ll request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month.

Britain's Prince Andrew has reached a settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre. Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached and they’ll request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month. As part of the agreement, the British royal will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims, Boies said. Giuffre had accused Andrew of assaulting her when she was 17 at the London home of socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, while she traveled with financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, 61, has denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties. Also see | Virginia Giuffre: Who is she and what are her allegations against Prince Andrew? Where is she now? The prince "never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks," the filing said. "Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others," the filing added. Also see | From Prince Andrew to Prince Harry, these British Royals lost their titles. Know why "He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims." Last month Andrew was stripped of his honorary military titles and charitable roles after New York Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his plea to dismiss Giuffre's case. In December, Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful. Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew reaches settlement with sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre

Virginia Giuffre: Who is she and what are her allegations against Prince Andrew? Where is she now?

A United States judge on Wednesday denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, as per court documents.&nbsp;

Lewis Kaplan, the New York Judge in his ruling said that the British Royal's plea&nbsp;to dismiss the complaint brought by Giuffre was "denied in all respects".&nbsp;

In the ruling, he further wrote: "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous'. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-claims-in-south-china-sea-gravely-undermines-rule-of-law-us-state-department-study-444266">Biden administration imposes first sanctions on North Koreans over missile tests</a>

Accuser Giuffre has claimed that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused her and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her to Epstein's wealthy friends.

She has also alleged that she was sexually trafficked to the Royal when she was underage. She sued Andrew in August 2021 and her lawyers submitted a photo of her with Andrew and Maxwell as evidence.&nbsp;

Giuffre said that Andrew&nbsp;sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 and a minor under American law.&nbsp;

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What's next for Prince Andrew?

Prince Andrew's attorneys can ask the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Kaplan's decision. An appeal would definitely delay proceedings, giving some time to them. But, in case it fails then theoretically they could take the case to the US Supreme Court.&nbsp;

A deadline of January 14 has been set for the parties to file "letters rogatory," which are formal requests for assistance from a court in one country to another court in a foreign country.&nbsp;

There's also a way out for Prince Andrew; if the parties reach an agreement before the deposition takes place then the case is over.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

A United States judge on Wednesday denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, as per court documents.

A United States judge on Wednesday denied a plea by Britain's Prince Andrew to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, as per court documents. Lewis Kaplan, the New York Judge in his ruling said that the British Royal's plea to dismiss the complaint brought by Giuffre was "denied in all respects". In the ruling, he further wrote: "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous'. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse." ALSO READ | Biden administration imposes first sanctions on North Koreans over missile tests Accuser Giuffre has claimed that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused her and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her to Epstein's wealthy friends. She has also alleged that she was sexually trafficked to the Royal when she was underage. She sued Andrew in August 2021 and her lawyers submitted a photo of her with Andrew and Maxwell as evidence. Giuffre said that Andrew sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 and a minor under American law. ALSO READ | China's claims in South China Sea gravely undermines rule of law: US State Department study What's next for Prince Andrew? Prince Andrew's attorneys can ask the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Kaplan's decision. An appeal would definitely delay proceedings, giving some time to them. But, in case it fails then theoretically they could take the case to the US Supreme Court. A deadline of January 14 has been set for the parties to file "letters rogatory," which are formal requests for assistance from a court in one country to another court in a foreign country. There's also a way out for Prince Andrew; if the parties reach an agreement before the deposition takes place then the case is over. × (With inputs from agencies)

What's next for Britain's Prince Andrew as US court denies plea to dismiss sex assault case?

The sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell was widely expected to offer a rare window into the life of her longtime companion, Jeffrey Epstein: Fresh revelations about sordid acts. Telling insights into opaque financial matters. Sensational cameos by rich and famous men.

The window, it turned out, was narrow, and those thirsting for a courtroom blockbuster were almost surely left unsatisfied, as federal prosecutors kept a sharp focus on the accounts of four accusers and the evidence supporting their allegations.

High-profile friends of Epstein’s like former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton came up only in passing. Just a few financial transactions and a fraction of the thousands of FBI photographs taken of Epstein’s lavish properties were offered into evidence. Even talk of Epstein’s private planes, the subject of much fascination, came off as staid.

The trial ended Wednesday with Maxwell convicted on five of the six counts she faced over her role in procuring teenage girls for Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing them. The stakes were high, and the consequences are real: At 60, she could spend the rest of her life in prison.

To obtain the verdict, prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York pursued what is known within their office as a “thin to win” strategy.

The approach, which takes its name from a golf maxim, calls for bare-bones trial proceedings stripped of flourishes that may tantalize the public but can distract a jury. Such a strategy often runs counter to public expectations in highly publicized cases like Maxwell’s, but it keeps juries focused on the facts, former Southern District prosecutors said.

“The goal is not to put on a show and answer the press or public’s lingering questions about this or that,” said Martin S. Bell, a former prosecutor in the office’s public-corruption unit who did not have a role in the investigations involving Maxwell or Epstein.

“Prosecution abhors a sideshow,” Bell added. “It abhors a circus.”

To Russell Capone, who oversaw the investigations into both Maxwell and Epstein before leaving the Southern District this past summer, the verdict vindicated the less-is-more approach.

Prosecutors were right, he said, not to try “to expose every nook and cranny of the sordid Epstein drama, which is not what this was about.” The decision to “just focus on these victims and put in a concededly thin case,” he said, “was the right one,” coupled with what he called an appeal to jurors’ “common sense.”

A lawyer for Maxwell declined to comment Thursday, as did a Southern District spokesperson.

In one example of the strategy, the four accusers on whose allegations the charges were based were the only victims to testify for the government. By contrast, at disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s trial on state sex-crime charges, prosecutors called multiple women to testify, including several who were not explicitly connected to the charges, to show a pattern of conduct by Weinstein. (A Manhattan jury convicted him on two of five counts.)

Maxwell’s trial centered primarily on events from 1994 to 2004, a period during which, prosecutors argued, she and Epstein directly recruited girls for him to abuse. This gave way in later years, one prosecutor, Lara Pomerantz, told the jury, to a “pyramid scheme” in which victims recruited other young girls. Discussion of this era was limited at trial to one accuser’s testimony.

Another reflection of the narrow focus: the government’s decision not to call a number of potential witnesses whose testimony might have been riveting or even explosive but could have complicated the prosecution.

Those potential witnesses included Virginia Giuffre, who is among Epstein’s most vocal accusers. But one of the women who testified against Maxwell said that Giuffre, previously known as Virginia Roberts, had recruited her to give Epstein massages when she was 14.

Also missing from the prosecution’s case at trial was any mention of two co-conspirators who had been identified in pretrial filings as participating in the sex-trafficking scheme.

Nor did the government call women who worked for Epstein and Maxwell, including Sarah Kellen, whom defence lawyers mentioned repeatedly at trial. The same accuser who testified to being recruited by Roberts said Kellen had paid her to pose for nude photographs and helped schedule sexualized massages she took part in.

Boldface names like Trump, Clinton, Prince Andrew and actor Kevin Spacey, all of whom have been associated with Epstein, went unmentioned except for their having ridden on Epstein’s planes. (Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew in a lawsuit of raping her when she was 17. He has denied the accusation.)

The trial did not address the many conspiracy theories that have sprung up around Epstein, including the mysterious origins of his indeterminate wealth, or rumours of his ties to foreign intelligence services. Although his name came up often during the three weeks of testimony, there was no direct mention of his 2019 death in custody, which New York City’s medical examiner ruled a suicide.

There was also scant mention of Maxwell’s background, except a reference to the 1991 death of her father, British media baron Robert Maxwell.

Moira Penza, a former federal prosecutor in Brooklyn who led the team that won the 2019 racketeering conviction of Nxivm sex cult leader Keith Raniere, said the government’s streamlined approach at Maxwell’s trial allowed “the jury to see that this is not a documentary.”

“It allows there to be this narrow focus, narrow lens that is very difficult for the defence to attack,” she said.

Prosecutors pared their case down as trial approached: Shortly before jury selection, they told the judge their case would take up to a month. They finished with their 24 witnesses in 10 days.

The government also pressed vigorously to keep Maxwell’s lawyers from broadening their case by, among other things, questioning law enforcement witnesses about previous inquiries involving Epstein.

Prosecutors also sought to preclude a potential argument that Maxwell was one of Epstein’s victims, saying there was no evidence to suggest it. The issue did not arise at trial.

The narrow prosecution focus was not without vulnerabilities, some of which were apparent during the trial. The strategy left the government open to defence claims that it had not lived up to its promises, could not support the witnesses’ stories and had not proven its case.

In her closing argument, Laura Menninger, a lawyer for Maxwell, said the government had “really struggled to explain why an Oxford-educated, proper English woman would suddenly agree to facilitate sex abuse of minors.”

The absence of Giuffre was also conspicuous, Menninger said.

“Why didn’t Virginia Roberts come and get on the stand and tell you that she was a victim?” she asked while addressing the jury. “Use your common sense.”

Maxwell’s lawyers also noted that there was no testimony from women and men who had worked closely with Maxwell and Epstein, some of whom, like Kellen, were invoked repeatedly at trial.

But the judge overseeing the case, Alison J. Nathan, told the jury in her instructions that while there were people named at trial who did not testify, “each party had an equal opportunity or lack of opportunity to call any of these witnesses.”

“Their absence,” she added, “should not affect your judgment in any way.”

The sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell was widely expected to offer a rare window into the life of her longtime companion, Jeffrey Epstein: Fresh revelations about sordid acts.

The sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell was widely expected to offer a rare window into the life of her longtime companion, Jeffrey Epstein: Fresh revelations about sordid acts. Telling insights into opaque financial matters. Sensational cameos by rich and famous men. The window, it turned out, was narrow, and those thirsting for a courtroom blockbuster were almost surely left unsatisfied, as federal prosecutors kept a sharp focus on the accounts of four accusers and the evidence supporting their allegations. High-profile friends of Epstein’s like former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton came up only in passing. Just a few financial transactions and a fraction of the thousands of FBI photographs taken of Epstein’s lavish properties were offered into evidence. Even talk of Epstein’s private planes, the subject of much fascination, came off as staid. The trial ended Wednesday with Maxwell convicted on five of the six counts she faced over her role in procuring teenage girls for Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing them. The stakes were high, and the consequences are real: At 60, she could spend the rest of her life in prison. To obtain the verdict, prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York pursued what is known within their office as a “thin to win” strategy. The approach, which takes its name from a golf maxim, calls for bare-bones trial proceedings stripped of flourishes that may tantalize the public but can distract a jury. Such a strategy often runs counter to public expectations in highly publicized cases like Maxwell’s, but it keeps juries focused on the facts, former Southern District prosecutors said. “The goal is not to put on a show and answer the press or public’s lingering questions about this or that,” said Martin S. Bell, a former prosecutor in the office’s public-corruption unit who did not have a role in the investigations involving Maxwell or Epstein. “Prosecution abhors a sideshow,” Bell added. “It abhors a circus.” To Russell Capone, who oversaw the investigations into both Maxwell and Epstein before leaving the Southern District this past summer, the verdict vindicated the less-is-more approach. Prosecutors were right, he said, not to try “to expose every nook and cranny of the sordid Epstein drama, which is not what this was about.” The decision to “just focus on these victims and put in a concededly thin case,” he said, “was the right one,” coupled with what he called an appeal to jurors’ “common sense.” A lawyer for Maxwell declined to comment Thursday, as did a Southern District spokesperson. In one example of the strategy, the four accusers on whose allegations the charges were based were the only victims to testify for the government. By contrast, at disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s trial on state sex-crime charges, prosecutors called multiple women to testify, including several who were not explicitly connected to the charges, to show a pattern of conduct by Weinstein. (A Manhattan jury convicted him on two of five counts.) Maxwell’s trial centered primarily on events from 1994 to 2004, a period during which, prosecutors argued, she and Epstein directly recruited girls for him to abuse. This gave way in later years, one prosecutor, Lara Pomerantz, told the jury, to a “pyramid scheme” in which victims recruited other young girls. Discussion of this era was limited at trial to one accuser’s testimony. Another reflection of the narrow focus: the government’s decision not to call a number of potential witnesses whose testimony might have been riveting or even explosive but could have complicated the prosecution. Those potential witnesses included Virginia Giuffre, who is among Epstein’s most vocal accusers. But one of the women who testified against Maxwell said that Giuffre, previously known as Virginia Roberts, had recruited her to give Epstein massages when she was 14. Also missing from the prosecution’s case at trial was any mention of two co-conspirators who had been identified in pretrial filings as participating in the sex-trafficking scheme. Nor did the government call women who worked for Epstein and Maxwell, including Sarah Kellen, whom defence lawyers mentioned repeatedly at trial. The same accuser who testified to being recruited by Roberts said Kellen had paid her to pose for nude photographs and helped schedule sexualized massages she took part in. Boldface names like Trump, Clinton, Prince Andrew and actor Kevin Spacey, all of whom have been associated with Epstein, went unmentioned except for their having ridden on Epstein’s planes. (Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew in a lawsuit of raping her when she was 17. He has denied the accusation.) The trial did not address the many conspiracy theories that have sprung up around Epstein, including the mysterious origins of his indeterminate wealth, or rumours of his ties to foreign intelligence services. Although his name came up often during the three weeks of testimony, there was no direct mention of his 2019 death in custody, which New York City’s medical examiner ruled a suicide. There was also scant mention of Maxwell’s background, except a reference to the 1991 death of her father, British media baron Robert Maxwell. Moira Penza, a former federal prosecutor in Brooklyn who led the team that won the 2019 racketeering conviction of Nxivm sex cult leader Keith Raniere, said the government’s streamlined approach at Maxwell’s trial allowed “the jury to see that this is not a documentary.” “It allows there to be this narrow focus, narrow lens that is very difficult for the defence to attack,” she said. Prosecutors pared their case down as trial approached: Shortly before jury selection, they told the judge their case would take up to a month. They finished with their 24 witnesses in 10 days. The government also pressed vigorously to keep Maxwell’s lawyers from broadening their case by, among other things, questioning law enforcement witnesses about previous inquiries involving Epstein. Prosecutors also sought to preclude a potential argument that Maxwell was one of Epstein’s victims, saying there was no evidence to suggest it. The issue did not arise at trial. The narrow prosecution focus was not without vulnerabilities, some of which were apparent during the trial. The strategy left the government open to defence claims that it had not lived up to its promises, could not support the witnesses’ stories and had not proven its case. In her closing argument, Laura Menninger, a lawyer for Maxwell, said the government had “really struggled to explain why an Oxford-educated, proper English woman would suddenly agree to facilitate sex abuse of minors.” The absence of Giuffre was also conspicuous, Menninger said. “Why didn’t Virginia Roberts come and get on the stand and tell you that she was a victim?” she asked while addressing the jury. “Use your common sense.” Maxwell’s lawyers also noted that there was no testimony from women and men who had worked closely with Maxwell and Epstein, some of whom, like Kellen, were invoked repeatedly at trial. But the judge overseeing the case, Alison J. Nathan, told the jury in her instructions that while there were people named at trial who did not testify, “each party had an equal opportunity or lack of opportunity to call any of these witnesses.” “Their absence,” she added, “should not affect your judgment in any way.”

Maxwell prosecutors won their case but shed little new light on Epstein

Ghislaine Maxwell, the ex-girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein has been convicted for sex-trafficking. Maxwell 'lured young girls' for sexual abuse by Epstein and his high-profile clients. Who were these alleged clients? Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: Convicted - Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty of 'sex trafficking'

Ghislaine Maxwell, 60, is up for a tough life ahead as she was convicted on charges of luring underage girls to engage in sexual acts with Jeffrey Epstein. The judgement came after jurors discussed the case for a full five days before finding the socialite guilty on five out of six counts. She now faces 65 years in prison.&nbsp;

She has been convicted for enticing Epstein’s victims. Four women alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell recruited them into having sex with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638">Who's Who in the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal</a>

One woman, Annie Farmer, testified that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-recruited-groomed-and-trained-underage-girls-as-sex-slaves-317289">Maxwell </a>had given her a massage when she was 16 during a visit to Epstein’s New Mexico ranch. She testified that Maxwell instructed her to roll over and then rubbed her upper breasts. Another woman accused Maxwell of also participating sometimes in these sexual acts.&nbsp;

Prosecutors also showed that Maxwell had received $30.7 million from Epstein from 1999 to 2007, and argued that the payments underscored her complicity in Epstein’s crimes.

The socialite was arrested in New Hampshire in July 2020, a&nbsp;year after Epstein committed suicide. Epstein had been arrested on charges of running a sex-trafficking operation that involved dozens of girls, some as young as 14. Jeffrey Epstein committed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-two-jail-guards-over-jeffrey-epstein-death-263227">suicide</a> by hanging in his jail cell in August 2019.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jeffrey-epstein-how-the-man-with-famous-friends-fell-apart-242546">Also see:&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein: How the man with famous friends fell apart</a>

Ghislaine Maxwell, 60, is up for a tough life ahead as she was convicted on charges of luring underage girls to engage in sexual acts with Jeffrey Epstein. The judgement came after jurors discussed the case for a full five days before finding the socialite guilty on five out of six counts.

Ghislaine Maxwell, 60, is up for a tough life ahead as she was convicted on charges of luring underage girls to engage in sexual acts with Jeffrey Epstein. The judgement came after jurors discussed the case for a full five days before finding the socialite guilty on five out of six counts. She now faces 65 years in prison. She has been convicted for enticing Epstein’s victims. Four women alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell recruited them into having sex with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s. Who's Who in the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal One woman, Annie Farmer, testified that Maxwell had given her a massage when she was 16 during a visit to Epstein’s New Mexico ranch. She testified that Maxwell instructed her to roll over and then rubbed her upper breasts. Another woman accused Maxwell of also participating sometimes in these sexual acts. Prosecutors also showed that Maxwell had received $30.7 million from Epstein from 1999 to 2007, and argued that the payments underscored her complicity in Epstein’s crimes. The socialite was arrested in New Hampshire in July 2020, a year after Epstein committed suicide. Epstein had been arrested on charges of running a sex-trafficking operation that involved dozens of girls, some as young as 14. Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide by hanging in his jail cell in August 2019. Also see: Jeffrey Epstein: How the man with famous friends fell apart

Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse case: British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty

Not long after prosecutors announce that they are resting their case in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, which could happen as early as Thursday, she and her defense team will be presented with a choice.

Judge Alison J. Nathan will ask Maxwell, who has been charged with recruiting, grooming and ultimately helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls, if she wants to take the witness stand to tell her side of the story.

Defense lawyers generally advise clients against testifying in their own trial, but the decision is ultimately a defendant’s, and it could be pivotal in her case.

“I think she would do more harm than good,” said Mark D. Richards, the veteran lawyer who represented Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of two fatal shootings amid protests over police conduct in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year. At his trial last month, Rittenhouse testified in his own defense.

Richards said that if Maxwell decided to testify, prosecutors could confront her directly with evidence of her ties to Epstein, who died in jail two years ago while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

“She’s trying to separate herself from Epstein,” Richards said. “At least now, you can blame it on a dead guy.”

Maxwell’s attorneys have not publicly detailed their defense, but they have suggested in court filings that they wanted to present experts to rebut the opinions of a government witness, a clinical and forensic psychologist, who testified about grooming, a strategy predators use to try to break down a potential victim’s resistance to abusive conduct.

Recently, defendants have decided to take the witness stand in several high-profile cases.

One of the three men convicted in Brunswick, Georgia, last month of murder and other charges in the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery took the witness stand during the trial. And in a fraud trial in San Jose, California, Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the failed blood testing startup Theranos, finished seven days of testimony in her own defense Wednesday. She has pleaded not guilty.

“There’s cases where you will do everything humanly possible to keep your client off because you know he’s going to hurt him or herself,” Richards said. “And there’s other cases where you just know that it’s going to be needed and you do everything you can to prepare the person and get them ready.”

Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, and at a pretrial hearing, she told the judge, “I have not committed any crime.”

In court, she seems attentive and even animated while seated beside her lawyers. She speaks with them before the jury arrives; she peers at a screen in front of her when photographs are displayed to the jurors; and she sometimes scribbles in a notebook, occasionally passing a Post-it note to her attorneys.

Defendants have the right not to testify in a trial — the burden of proof is solely the government's — and jurors are instructed not to draw any conclusions from that choice.

And where the decision is seen as a close one, a defense attorney’s choice not to have a client testify may reflect the view that the government’s case is weak and can be overcome through a strong summation or other defense witnesses, legal experts said.

“It’s going to come down to the defense’s assessment of how strong the government’s case came in and whether it’s worth taking the risk,” said Jessica A. Roth, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan who teaches law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

She said the defense’s best strategy may be to remind the jurors of the government’s burden of proof, without trying to present an alternative narrative through Maxwell’s testimony.

“The jury may be wondering what it is that Maxwell thought was happening behind closed doors,” Roth said. “And they’ll be told that they can’t demand her explanation.”

Ultimately, though, Maxwell could overrule her lawyers and decide to testify, said Stephen Gillers, a professor of legal ethics at New York University School of Law.

“Defendants rarely do,” he said, “but some have an exaggerated sense of their ability to handle aggressive government questioning.”

Richards questioned whether Maxwell, a former socialite who is the daughter of a onetime British media mogul, could endure a grueling cross-examination by a prosecutor.

“What I’ve read about her,” he said, “she’s very upper class, kind of cultured. And if she were to take the witness stand and be questioned by someone who she does not think is her equal, she might have a lot of trouble with that.”

Moira Penza, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Brooklyn who led the prosecution team that won the 2019 racketeering conviction of Keith Raniere, the Nxivm sex cult leader, noted that defendants who testify essentially give up their right not to incriminate themselves.

On cross-examination, she said, “prosecutors have a lot of room to really retry their case through the defendant, to bring up again all of their best evidence, and beyond that, to attack the credibility of the witness in any way they can.”

Maxwell also faces two perjury charges — not part of her current trial — in which she has been accused of lying under oath during 2016 depositions she gave in a lawsuit related to Epstein.

Roth said those statements could be the subject of cross-examination if prosecutors believe they can show that Maxwell was lying, undermining her credibility before the jury.

Benjamin Brafman, a prominent defense lawyer in New York, said that Rule No. 1 when a defendant is considering whether or not to testify is not to lie.

“If you lie and a jury believes that you were lying, then all of the reasonable doubts that your lawyers may have created through effective cross-examination, I think, may be nullified,” he said.

Brafman said the last client he put on the witness stand was rap star and producer Sean Combs, who was acquitted of all charges in a gun possession and bribery trial some two decades ago.

As for Maxwell, he said: “I would be stunned if she were to take the stand.”

Not long after prosecutors announce that they are resting their case in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, which could happen as early as Thursday, she and her defense team will be presented with a choice.

Not long after prosecutors announce that they are resting their case in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, which could happen as early as Thursday, she and her defense team will be presented with a choice. Judge Alison J. Nathan will ask Maxwell, who has been charged with recruiting, grooming and ultimately helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls, if she wants to take the witness stand to tell her side of the story. Defense lawyers generally advise clients against testifying in their own trial, but the decision is ultimately a defendant’s, and it could be pivotal in her case. “I think she would do more harm than good,” said Mark D. Richards, the veteran lawyer who represented Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of two fatal shootings amid protests over police conduct in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year. At his trial last month, Rittenhouse testified in his own defense. Richards said that if Maxwell decided to testify, prosecutors could confront her directly with evidence of her ties to Epstein, who died in jail two years ago while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. “She’s trying to separate herself from Epstein,” Richards said. “At least now, you can blame it on a dead guy.” Maxwell’s attorneys have not publicly detailed their defense, but they have suggested in court filings that they wanted to present experts to rebut the opinions of a government witness, a clinical and forensic psychologist, who testified about grooming, a strategy predators use to try to break down a potential victim’s resistance to abusive conduct. Recently, defendants have decided to take the witness stand in several high-profile cases. One of the three men convicted in Brunswick, Georgia, last month of murder and other charges in the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery took the witness stand during the trial. And in a fraud trial in San Jose, California, Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the failed blood testing startup Theranos, finished seven days of testimony in her own defense Wednesday. She has pleaded not guilty. “There’s cases where you will do everything humanly possible to keep your client off because you know he’s going to hurt him or herself,” Richards said. “And there’s other cases where you just know that it’s going to be needed and you do everything you can to prepare the person and get them ready.” Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, and at a pretrial hearing, she told the judge, “I have not committed any crime.” In court, she seems attentive and even animated while seated beside her lawyers. She speaks with them before the jury arrives; she peers at a screen in front of her when photographs are displayed to the jurors; and she sometimes scribbles in a notebook, occasionally passing a Post-it note to her attorneys. Defendants have the right not to testify in a trial — the burden of proof is solely the government's — and jurors are instructed not to draw any conclusions from that choice. And where the decision is seen as a close one, a defense attorney’s choice not to have a client testify may reflect the view that the government’s case is weak and can be overcome through a strong summation or other defense witnesses, legal experts said. “It’s going to come down to the defense’s assessment of how strong the government’s case came in and whether it’s worth taking the risk,” said Jessica A. Roth, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan who teaches law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She said the defense’s best strategy may be to remind the jurors of the government’s burden of proof, without trying to present an alternative narrative through Maxwell’s testimony. “The jury may be wondering what it is that Maxwell thought was happening behind closed doors,” Roth said. “And they’ll be told that they can’t demand her explanation.” Ultimately, though, Maxwell could overrule her lawyers and decide to testify, said Stephen Gillers, a professor of legal ethics at New York University School of Law. “Defendants rarely do,” he said, “but some have an exaggerated sense of their ability to handle aggressive government questioning.” Richards questioned whether Maxwell, a former socialite who is the daughter of a onetime British media mogul, could endure a grueling cross-examination by a prosecutor. “What I’ve read about her,” he said, “she’s very upper class, kind of cultured. And if she were to take the witness stand and be questioned by someone who she does not think is her equal, she might have a lot of trouble with that.” Moira Penza, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Brooklyn who led the prosecution team that won the 2019 racketeering conviction of Keith Raniere, the Nxivm sex cult leader, noted that defendants who testify essentially give up their right not to incriminate themselves. On cross-examination, she said, “prosecutors have a lot of room to really retry their case through the defendant, to bring up again all of their best evidence, and beyond that, to attack the credibility of the witness in any way they can.” Maxwell also faces two perjury charges — not part of her current trial — in which she has been accused of lying under oath during 2016 depositions she gave in a lawsuit related to Epstein. Roth said those statements could be the subject of cross-examination if prosecutors believe they can show that Maxwell was lying, undermining her credibility before the jury. Benjamin Brafman, a prominent defense lawyer in New York, said that Rule No. 1 when a defendant is considering whether or not to testify is not to lie. “If you lie and a jury believes that you were lying, then all of the reasonable doubts that your lawyers may have created through effective cross-examination, I think, may be nullified,” he said. Brafman said the last client he put on the witness stand was rap star and producer Sean Combs, who was acquitted of all charges in a gun possession and bribery trial some two decades ago. As for Maxwell, he said: “I would be stunned if she were to take the stand.”

Will Ghislaine Maxwell take the stand in sex-trafficking case?

A woman testified Monday that Ghislaine Maxwell groomed her to engage in sexual activity with Jeffrey Epstein, the second of four women alleging abuse to take the stand in the British socialite's sex trafficking trial.

Speaking under the pseudonym "Kate," the witness explained how Maxwell would coordinate her sexual encounters with Epstein, inviting her over and escorting to her to massage rooms to meet the late financier.

The 59-year-old Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty to six counts of enticing and transporting minors for sex, is accused of grooming underage girls to be exploited by her long-time partner Epstein, a wealthy American who killed himself in jail two years ago while awaiting trial.

Kate, now 44, said she was introduced to Maxwell by a then-boyfriend during a trip to Paris in 1994, when she was 17 years old.

"She was very sophisticated and very elegant," Kate said of Maxwell during questioning from prosecutors.&nbsp; 
Kate said she gave her phone number to Maxwell, who invited the teenager to tea at her London home a few weeks later.&nbsp;

"I felt really special," Kate said. "I felt that I had found a new connection that could be really meaningful to me. Like somebody wanted me, like somebody wanted to be my friend."

Maxwell, she said, "told me amazing things about her boyfriend," that he was a philanthropist and "liked to help young people."

"She said that he was going to love me," she said.

A few weeks later, Maxwell invited Kate to meet Epstein at her London home, she said.

Kate said she was asked by Maxwell to "give his feet a little squeeze" and rub his shoulders.

A few weeks later, Kate was invited back to Maxwell's to give Epstein a massage.

She said Epstein disrobed in a dimly lit room with a massage table. Maxwell left and closed the door.

The massage turned into a sex act, Kate said, after which Maxwell asked: "How did it go? Did you have fun? Was it good?"

"She seemed very excited and happy," Kate said.

'I was fearful'

Kate's testimony was not allowed to include details of sex acts with Epstein because she was 17 at the time, the age of consent in Britain.

Rather than provide evidence of criminal wrongdoing, prosecutors are using her testimony to illustrate the wider pattern of grooming young girls and corroborating other accuser statements.

Kate described an instance when the socialite gave her a schoolgirl outfit and told her to wear it and serve Epstein tea.

"I didn't know how to say no," she said.

Kate also said Maxwell asked her if she knew anyone else who might be able to engage in sexual acts with Epstein.

"You know what he likes -- cute, young, pretty, like you," Kate quoted Maxwell as saying.

Kate said she never recruited other girls.

She continued to see the duo for years, traveling to Epstein's properties in Palm Beach, New York and the Caribbean -- trips routinely arranged by Maxwell, Kate said.

The witness said she saw photographs of underage girls in the Palm Beach house and saw other girls in person, including one "who seemed a lot younger than me. Very young."

She said she maintained contact with Epstein into her early 30s.

"I did not want to admit what happened to me," she said. "I was fearful of disengaging because I had witnessed how connected they both were."

Maxwell "seemed to know everybody," she said. "She told me she was friends with Prince Andrew. Friends with Donald Trump."

Kate was also asked about her years-long addiction to alcohol, cocaine and sleeping pills.

The defense aggressively sought to skewer Kate's credibility, emphasizing her drug use and insisting she was looking to receive government support obtaining a special visa in exchange for her testimony.

Kate, who is British, said she was not seeking a "U visa" -- reserved for victims of abuse -- but had at one point inquired about it.

She said she has been sober since May 2003 and her memories "of significant events in my life have never changed."

"These events come back to me all the time," she said through tears. "I have nightmares about them." 
Kate said she received $3.25 million from the Epstein victims fund but has no financial stake in the current case.

A woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane" testified last week that she was 14 when Epstein started sexually abusing her, and that Maxwell was sometimes present and even participated.

Maxwell, the daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, faces an effective life sentence if convicted.

A woman testified Monday that Ghislaine Maxwell groomed her to engage in sexual activity with Jeffrey Epstein, the second of four women alleging abuse to take the stand in the British socialite's sex trafficking trial.

A woman testified Monday that Ghislaine Maxwell groomed her to engage in sexual activity with Jeffrey Epstein, the second of four women alleging abuse to take the stand in the British socialite's sex trafficking trial. Speaking under the pseudonym "Kate," the witness explained how Maxwell would coordinate her sexual encounters with Epstein, inviting her over and escorting to her to massage rooms to meet the late financier. The 59-year-old Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty to six counts of enticing and transporting minors for sex, is accused of grooming underage girls to be exploited by her long-time partner Epstein, a wealthy American who killed himself in jail two years ago while awaiting trial. Kate, now 44, said she was introduced to Maxwell by a then-boyfriend during a trip to Paris in 1994, when she was 17 years old. "She was very sophisticated and very elegant," Kate said of Maxwell during questioning from prosecutors. Kate said she gave her phone number to Maxwell, who invited the teenager to tea at her London home a few weeks later. "I felt really special," Kate said. "I felt that I had found a new connection that could be really meaningful to me. Like somebody wanted me, like somebody wanted to be my friend." Maxwell, she said, "told me amazing things about her boyfriend," that he was a philanthropist and "liked to help young people." "She said that he was going to love me," she said. A few weeks later, Maxwell invited Kate to meet Epstein at her London home, she said. Kate said she was asked by Maxwell to "give his feet a little squeeze" and rub his shoulders. A few weeks later, Kate was invited back to Maxwell's to give Epstein a massage. She said Epstein disrobed in a dimly lit room with a massage table. Maxwell left and closed the door. The massage turned into a sex act, Kate said, after which Maxwell asked: "How did it go? Did you have fun? Was it good?" "She seemed very excited and happy," Kate said. 'I was fearful' Kate's testimony was not allowed to include details of sex acts with Epstein because she was 17 at the time, the age of consent in Britain. Rather than provide evidence of criminal wrongdoing, prosecutors are using her testimony to illustrate the wider pattern of grooming young girls and corroborating other accuser statements. Kate described an instance when the socialite gave her a schoolgirl outfit and told her to wear it and serve Epstein tea. "I didn't know how to say no," she said. Kate also said Maxwell asked her if she knew anyone else who might be able to engage in sexual acts with Epstein. "You know what he likes -- cute, young, pretty, like you," Kate quoted Maxwell as saying. Kate said she never recruited other girls. She continued to see the duo for years, traveling to Epstein's properties in Palm Beach, New York and the Caribbean -- trips routinely arranged by Maxwell, Kate said. The witness said she saw photographs of underage girls in the Palm Beach house and saw other girls in person, including one "who seemed a lot younger than me. Very young." She said she maintained contact with Epstein into her early 30s. "I did not want to admit what happened to me," she said. "I was fearful of disengaging because I had witnessed how connected they both were." Maxwell "seemed to know everybody," she said. "She told me she was friends with Prince Andrew. Friends with Donald Trump." Kate was also asked about her years-long addiction to alcohol, cocaine and sleeping pills. The defense aggressively sought to skewer Kate's credibility, emphasizing her drug use and insisting she was looking to receive government support obtaining a special visa in exchange for her testimony. Kate, who is British, said she was not seeking a "U visa" -- reserved for victims of abuse -- but had at one point inquired about it. She said she has been sober since May 2003 and her memories "of significant events in my life have never changed." "These events come back to me all the time," she said through tears. "I have nightmares about them." Kate said she received $3.25 million from the Epstein victims fund but has no financial stake in the current case. A woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane" testified last week that she was 14 when Epstein started sexually abusing her, and that Maxwell was sometimes present and even participated. Maxwell, the daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, faces an effective life sentence if convicted.

Second accuser takes stand in Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial

On the second day of Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial in New York, the names of influential men who flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s planes were raised in court, among them were Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump.

Ghislaine Maxwell Trial: Epstein's ex-pilot names Clinton, Trump in testimony

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's sister has revealed that he was a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite accused of grooming underage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.

Talking about a meeting between Johnson and the 59-year-old daughter of late newspaper baron Robert Maxwell, Rachel says that Maxwell had kept her high-heeled boot on top of Boris' thigh. 
&nbsp; 
''It’s hard not to feel a batsqueak of pity for Ghislaine Maxwell-500 days and counting in solitary confinement,'' she added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-prime-minister-boris-johnsons-father-accused-of-inappropriately-touching-women-429789">Also read |&nbsp;UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's father accused of inappropriately touching women</a>

Rachel talks about an incident at Balliol College, where Boris met Maxwell who had ''a shiny glamazon with naughty eyes holding court astride a table.''

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Somehow perfect that in the middle of the sleaze conversation Boris Johnson’s kid sister is reminding everyone that he was Oxford chums with Ghislaine Maxwell <a href="https://t.co/qSUHMqdl0A">pic.twitter.com/qSUHMqdl0A</a>
— Hari Kunzru (@harikunzru) <a href="https://twitter.com/harikunzru/status/1461028930610204673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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She wrote the article for 'The Spectator' when Boris worked as an editor before his rise to power.&nbsp;

It comes amid intense pressure on Boris Johnson from opposition lawmakers over a row over MPs holding second jobs and posing conflicts of interest.

Speaking at a hearing of the British parliament's liaison committee, which brings together a number of committees scrutinising the government, Johnson said: "I have accepted that it was a mistake and that it was my mistake. All we wanted to do was to see whether in view of the particular and frankly tragic circumstances of the case, there was any cross-party approach on any appeals process."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-win-love-uk-pm-boris-johnson-pledged-to-help-former-lover-jennifer-arcuris-business-says-report-429215">Also read |&nbsp;To win love, UK PM Boris Johnson pledged to help former lover Jennifer Arcuri's business, says report</a>

Following the death of Epstein, a multimillion-dollar money manager who befriended countless celebrities including Britain's Prince Andrew, prosecutors vowed to pursue co-conspirators, resulting in Maxwell's arrest in July 2020.

Maxwell's alleged crimes occurred between 1994 and 2004, and relate to four unnamed women, including two who say they were just 14 and 15 years old when they were sexually abused.

She is a former girlfriend of Epstein, a teacher-turned-globetrotting-investor who counted Britain's Prince Andrew and former US President Donald Trump among his associates.&nbsp;

Epstein, 66, died in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges, in what New York's official coroner ruled a suicide.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's sister has revealed that he was a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite accused of grooming underage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's sister has revealed that he was a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite accused of grooming underage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse. Talking about a meeting between Johnson and the 59-year-old daughter of late newspaper baron Robert Maxwell, Rachel says that Maxwell had kept her high-heeled boot on top of Boris' thigh. ''It’s hard not to feel a batsqueak of pity for Ghislaine Maxwell-500 days and counting in solitary confinement,'' she added. Also read | UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's father accused of inappropriately touching women Rachel talks about an incident at Balliol College, where Boris met Maxwell who had ''a shiny glamazon with naughty eyes holding court astride a table.'' Somehow perfect that in the middle of the sleaze conversation Boris Johnson’s kid sister is reminding everyone that he was Oxford chums with Ghislaine Maxwell pic.twitter.com/qSUHMqdl0A — Hari Kunzru (@harikunzru) November 17, 2021 × She wrote the article for 'The Spectator' when Boris worked as an editor before his rise to power. It comes amid intense pressure on Boris Johnson from opposition lawmakers over a row over MPs holding second jobs and posing conflicts of interest. Speaking at a hearing of the British parliament's liaison committee, which brings together a number of committees scrutinising the government, Johnson said: "I have accepted that it was a mistake and that it was my mistake. All we wanted to do was to see whether in view of the particular and frankly tragic circumstances of the case, there was any cross-party approach on any appeals process." Also read | To win love, UK PM Boris Johnson pledged to help former lover Jennifer Arcuri's business, says report Following the death of Epstein, a multimillion-dollar money manager who befriended countless celebrities including Britain's Prince Andrew, prosecutors vowed to pursue co-conspirators, resulting in Maxwell's arrest in July 2020. Maxwell's alleged crimes occurred between 1994 and 2004, and relate to four unnamed women, including two who say they were just 14 and 15 years old when they were sexually abused. She is a former girlfriend of Epstein, a teacher-turned-globetrotting-investor who counted Britain's Prince Andrew and former US President Donald Trump among his associates. Epstein, 66, died in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges, in what New York's official coroner ruled a suicide. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM Boris Johnson's sister reveals he was a 'close friend' of Ghislaine Maxwell

A third consecutive night of internet blackout was seen in Myanmar as protests continued against the military coup in the country. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who has recently been acquitted from impeachment, slammed Republican Mitch McConnell calling him a "dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack".

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-blocks-internet-for-third-consecutive-night-amid-protests-364140">Myanmar military blocks internet for third consecutive night amid protests</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/17/183071-myanmar1.jpg?itok=D50nZHYU" />

Myanmar experienced another night of internet blackout as the net continued to be shut for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as protests continued against the military junta's coup.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unsmiling-political-hack-trump-lashes-out-at-mitch-mcconnell-after-impeachment-trial-364141">'Unsmiling political hack': Trump lashes out at Mitch McConnell after impeachment trial</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/12/13562-donaldtrump-20161114045351.jpg?itok=aEPu_9ZI" />

The former US President Donald Trump, who has recently been acquitted in his second impeachment trial, has turned against the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-4000-amazon-employees-given-wrong-covid-test-result-364146">Nearly 4,000 Amazon employees given wrong COVID test result</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/17/183074-covid-19-test-results-amazon.jpg?itok=A_Qea1qO" />

Nearly 4,000 Amazon employees were given fake positive results for the deadly coronavirus and were asked to self-isolate in the UK.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-physically-abused-in-jail-lawyer-364157">Ghislaine Maxwell 'physically abused' in jail: Lawyer</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/31/152425-untitled-design-46.jpg?itok=HSbLcsqJ" />

Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking, was "physically abused" by a correctional officer in a routine check in jail, her lawyer claimed on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-lawmakers-approve-bill-to-battle-islamist-extremism-364127">French lawmakers approve bill to battle Islamist extremism</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/16/183060-french-president-emmanuel-macron.jpg?itok=2uFoYXfg" />

&nbsp;

A third consecutive night of internet blackout was seen in Myanmar as protests continued against the military coup in the country. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who has recently been acquitted from impeachment, slammed Republican Mitch McConnell calling him a "dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack".

A third consecutive night of internet blackout was seen in Myanmar as protests continued against the military coup in the country. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who has recently been acquitted from impeachment, slammed Republican Mitch McConnell calling him a "dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack". Click on headlines to read more Myanmar military blocks internet for third consecutive night amid protests Myanmar experienced another night of internet blackout as the net continued to be shut for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as protests continued against the military junta's coup. 'Unsmiling political hack': Trump lashes out at Mitch McConnell after impeachment trial The former US President Donald Trump, who has recently been acquitted in his second impeachment trial, has turned against the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell. Nearly 4,000 Amazon employees given wrong COVID test result Nearly 4,000 Amazon employees were given fake positive results for the deadly coronavirus and were asked to self-isolate in the UK. Ghislaine Maxwell 'physically abused' in jail: Lawyer Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking, was "physically abused" by a correctional officer in a routine check in jail, her lawyer claimed on Tuesday. French lawmakers approve bill to battle Islamist extremism

Morning news brief: Myanmar coup updates, latest on Trump, and more

Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking, was "physically abused" by a correctional officer in a routine check in jail, her lawyer claimed on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"Recently, out of view of the security camera, Ms. Maxwell was placed in her isolation cell and physically abused during a pat down search," Bobbi Sternheim, wrote in a letter to New York judge Alison Nathan complaining about Maxwell's conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jeffrey-epstein-case-updates-ghislaine-maxwell-deposition-released-337513/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The attorney also said that Maxwell, the former associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was warned of retaliation if she reported the incident.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-denies-witnessing-underage-sex-in-epstein-deposition-337388">Ghislaine Maxwell denies witnessing underage sex in Epstein deposition</a>

Maxwell's lawyers have continually complained about her conditions in the jail in hope of authorities sanctioning a bail for her.&nbsp;

Recently in December, she was denied bail by the New York judge, citing flight risk.&nbsp;

Her attorneys say Maxwell is kept under excessive surveillance, which includes a flashlight aimed at her every 15 minutes from 9:30 pm to 6:30 am.

She is accused of bringing underage girls for Epstein, a convicted sex offender who committed suicide in jail in 2019.

The 59-year-old is due to go on trial this summer, however, the pandemic delayed the proceedings.&nbsp;

If convicted, she could face a jail sentence of 35 years for alleged crimes committed from 1994 to 1997.&nbsp;

Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking, was "physically abused" by a correctional officer in a routine check in jail, her lawyer claimed on Tuesday. "Recently, out of view of the security camera, Ms.

Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of sex trafficking, was "physically abused" by a correctional officer in a routine check in jail, her lawyer claimed on Tuesday. "Recently, out of view of the security camera, Ms. Maxwell was placed in her isolation cell and physically abused during a pat down search," Bobbi Sternheim, wrote in a letter to New York judge Alison Nathan complaining about Maxwell's conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Watch | The attorney also said that Maxwell, the former associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was warned of retaliation if she reported the incident. Also read | Ghislaine Maxwell denies witnessing underage sex in Epstein deposition Maxwell's lawyers have continually complained about her conditions in the jail in hope of authorities sanctioning a bail for her. Recently in December, she was denied bail by the New York judge, citing flight risk. Her attorneys say Maxwell is kept under excessive surveillance, which includes a flashlight aimed at her every 15 minutes from 9:30 pm to 6:30 am. She is accused of bringing underage girls for Epstein, a convicted sex offender who committed suicide in jail in 2019. The 59-year-old is due to go on trial this summer, however, the pandemic delayed the proceedings. If convicted, she could face a jail sentence of 35 years for alleged crimes committed from 1994 to 1997.

Ghislaine Maxwell 'physically abused' in jail: Lawyer

In her 2016 deposition made public on Thursday, Ghislane Maxwell has strongly rejected allegations that she had seen late financier Jeffrey Epstein have sex with underage girls. She has also rejected suggestions that she helped Epstein arrange illicit sexual encounters.

In her deposition, the British socialite at times appeared insistent and frequently evasive as she responded under oath over 9-1/2 hours to questions from lawyers for Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in April 2016, as part of a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit against her.

"I can only testify to what I know and the fact (Giuffre) has lied about me from the beginning to the end," Maxwell said.

Ghislaine Maxwell (58) has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that she helped Epstein recruit and groom underage girls as young as 14 in illegal sexual acts in mid 90s. He has also denied that she lied about her involvement.

Maxwell's 418-page deposition left unresolved who else she might have known was involved in Epstein's orbit. Nearly all names other than hers and Epstein's were blacked out.

But her lawyers had fought hard to keep the deposition under wraps, saying the release could violate her right against self-incrimination, and that bad publicity could make it hard to find an impartial jury in her criminal case.

Maxwell's lawyers have argued the "intimate" and "personal" questions she was asked could suggest Giuffre's lawyers believed they had a factual basis to ask them, even if the suggested misconduct never happened.

At one point, Maxwell called Giuffre an "absolute and total liar" when asked if she and Epstein had three-way sex.

But a federal appeals court on Monday said the public's right to see the deposition and other materials also released on Thursday outweighed Maxwell's concerns.

U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska later directed that the materials be unsealed, which Giuffre and the Miami Herald newspaper had sought.

Maxwell's father was British media mogul Robert Maxwell. Her trial is scheduled for July 2021.

"The unsealing of this transcript has resulted in the public dissemination of salacious questions and answers that can linger in the minds of potential jurors," said Brian McMonagle, a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia who is not involved in the case.

Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Giuffre, in a statement called the unsealing "a long time coming and a welcome step towards revealing the evidence of the scope and scale of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking ring."

Reuters said that lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Denials

Epstein once counted US President Donald Trump, former US President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew as friends. They have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.

Giuffre, 37, has said Epstein kept her as a "sex slave" with Maxwell's assistance, and told BBC's "Panorama" that Epstein brought her to London in 2001 to meet the prince, one of three occasions when she claimed to have had sex with Andrew.

Andrew has denied the allegations.

Maxwell acknowledged in the deposition having maintained contact with Epstein even after his 2008 guilty plea to Florida state prosecution charges, landing him a 13-month jail sentence.

"I'm a very loyal person and Jeffrey was very good to me when my father passed away," she said.

Maxwell said much of her work for Epstein before then involved hiring architects, cooks, decorators, gardeners, pool cleaners and others to help him maintain six homes.

Epstein's properties included a townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, a home in Palm Beach, Florida, and two entire islands within the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"[A] very small part of my job was from time to time to find adult professional massage therapists for Jeffrey," Maxwell said.

"I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever," she added.

Maxwell appeared evasive when a lawyer for Giuffre pressed whether she hired Giuffre to give Epstein an erotic massage, saying Giuffre "held herself out as a masseuse and invited herself to come and give a massage."

She also denied having an array of "schoolgirl" or "black patent leather" outfits for Epstein's masseuses to wear, and said she did not recall a laundry basket of sex toys being kept in the Palm Beach home.

Maxwell also testified that she flew on Epstein's planes with Clinton, but wouldn't characterize the men as friends or acquaintances.

"One of [the] lies she told was that President Clinton was on [Epstein's] island where I was present," Maxwell testified. "Absolutely 1000% that is a flat out total fabrication and lie."

Maxwell was arrested on July 2 in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding on a property she bought in December while shielding her identity.

She is locked up in a Brooklyn jail after the judge in her criminal case called her an unacceptable flight risk.

Epstein killed himself at age 66 in August 2019 at a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges announced the previous month.

He had entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in 2007, before pleading guilty to the Florida state charges. That arrangement is now widely considered to have been too lenient.

(With Reuters inputs)

In her 2016 deposition made public on Thursday, Ghislane Maxwell has strongly rejected allegations that she had seen late financier Jeffrey Epstein have sex with underage girls.

In her 2016 deposition made public on Thursday, Ghislane Maxwell has strongly rejected allegations that she had seen late financier Jeffrey Epstein have sex with underage girls. She has also rejected suggestions that she helped Epstein arrange illicit sexual encounters. In her deposition, the British socialite at times appeared insistent and frequently evasive as she responded under oath over 9-1/2 hours to questions from lawyers for Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in April 2016, as part of a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit against her. "I can only testify to what I know and the fact (Giuffre) has lied about me from the beginning to the end," Maxwell said. Ghislaine Maxwell (58) has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that she helped Epstein recruit and groom underage girls as young as 14 in illegal sexual acts in mid 90s. He has also denied that she lied about her involvement. Maxwell's 418-page deposition left unresolved who else she might have known was involved in Epstein's orbit. Nearly all names other than hers and Epstein's were blacked out. But her lawyers had fought hard to keep the deposition under wraps, saying the release could violate her right against self-incrimination, and that bad publicity could make it hard to find an impartial jury in her criminal case. Maxwell's lawyers have argued the "intimate" and "personal" questions she was asked could suggest Giuffre's lawyers believed they had a factual basis to ask them, even if the suggested misconduct never happened. At one point, Maxwell called Giuffre an "absolute and total liar" when asked if she and Epstein had three-way sex. But a federal appeals court on Monday said the public's right to see the deposition and other materials also released on Thursday outweighed Maxwell's concerns. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska later directed that the materials be unsealed, which Giuffre and the Miami Herald newspaper had sought. Maxwell's father was British media mogul Robert Maxwell. Her trial is scheduled for July 2021. "The unsealing of this transcript has resulted in the public dissemination of salacious questions and answers that can linger in the minds of potential jurors," said Brian McMonagle, a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia who is not involved in the case. Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Giuffre, in a statement called the unsealing "a long time coming and a welcome step towards revealing the evidence of the scope and scale of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking ring." Reuters said that lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Denials Epstein once counted US President Donald Trump, former US President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew as friends. They have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Giuffre, 37, has said Epstein kept her as a "sex slave" with Maxwell's assistance, and told BBC's "Panorama" that Epstein brought her to London in 2001 to meet the prince, one of three occasions when she claimed to have had sex with Andrew. Andrew has denied the allegations. Maxwell acknowledged in the deposition having maintained contact with Epstein even after his 2008 guilty plea to Florida state prosecution charges, landing him a 13-month jail sentence. "I'm a very loyal person and Jeffrey was very good to me when my father passed away," she said. Maxwell said much of her work for Epstein before then involved hiring architects, cooks, decorators, gardeners, pool cleaners and others to help him maintain six homes. Epstein's properties included a townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, a home in Palm Beach, Florida, and two entire islands within the U.S. Virgin Islands. "[A] very small part of my job was from time to time to find adult professional massage therapists for Jeffrey," Maxwell said. "I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever," she added. Maxwell appeared evasive when a lawyer for Giuffre pressed whether she hired Giuffre to give Epstein an erotic massage, saying Giuffre "held herself out as a masseuse and invited herself to come and give a massage." She also denied having an array of "schoolgirl" or "black patent leather" outfits for Epstein's masseuses to wear, and said she did not recall a laundry basket of sex toys being kept in the Palm Beach home. Maxwell also testified that she flew on Epstein's planes with Clinton, but wouldn't characterize the men as friends or acquaintances. "One of [the] lies she told was that President Clinton was on [Epstein's] island where I was present," Maxwell testified. "Absolutely 1000% that is a flat out total fabrication and lie." Maxwell was arrested on July 2 in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding on a property she bought in December while shielding her identity. She is locked up in a Brooklyn jail after the judge in her criminal case called her an unacceptable flight risk. Epstein killed himself at age 66 in August 2019 at a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges announced the previous month. He had entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in 2007, before pleading guilty to the Florida state charges. That arrangement is now widely considered to have been too lenient. (With Reuters inputs)

Ghislaine Maxwell denies witnessing underage sex in Epstein deposition

Redacted documents from Ghislaine Maxwell's 2016 deposition in a defamation lawsuit were made public, showing her angrily rejecting claims she introduced a teenage girl as a sex partner to a man believed to be Prince Andrew. Watch report.

Jeffrey Epstein case updates: Ghislaine Maxwell deposition released

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