Disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell appeared remotely before the House Oversight Committee on Monday but refused to answer any questions about her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network. The 64-year-old invoked her Fifth Amendment right to silence – and her lawyer suggested she would cooperate only if President Donald Trump grants her clemency.
Maxwell addressed US politicians directly from prison but declined to answer questions about trafficking girls, coercing young women to have sex with Epstein or his associates, or whether she and Epstein surrounded themselves with powerful people for protection. She also refused to provide names of Epstein's associates.
Her response to each question was identical. «I would like to answer your question, but on the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer this question and any related questions,» she said. «My habeas petition is pending in the southern district of New York. I therefore invoke my right to silence under the fifth amendment to the US constitution.»
Clemency campaign
Maxwell's lawyer David Markus used the committee appearance to campaign for a presidential pardon. He later posted on X that Maxwell would be willing to answer questions «if granted clemency by President Trump».
Committee Chairman James Comer rejected any immunity deal. House Democrats issued a statement questioning «who is she protecting?» following Maxwell's refusal to cooperate.
20-year sentence
Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022 by a federal court in the southern district of New York. The sentence followed a three-week trial in 2021 where prosecutors described her as «dangerous» and accused her of helping entice vulnerable teenagers to Epstein's properties for sexual abuse.
Her habeas petition remains pending in the same court. The Fifth Amendment grants Americans the right to silence when questioned under oath to avoid self-incrimination.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
