Ghislaine Maxwell Declines to Answer Questions at Congressional Deposition, Lawmakers Report
Ghislaine Maxwell, a key figure in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, refused to answer questions during a recent deposition conducted by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This event took place on February 9, 2023, drawing ire from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Details of the Deposition
Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted in 2021 for facilitating Epstein’s sexual exploitation of teenage girls, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights. This legal provision protects individuals from self-incrimination, and Maxwell’s decision not to respond prompted disappointment from committee chairman, Republican Representative James Comer.
Reactions from Lawmakers
- James Comer expressed frustration over the lack of answers regarding criminal activities involving Epstein and potential co-conspirators.
- Democratic members, including Representative James Walkinshaw, criticized Maxwell for seemingly using the deposition as a platform to seek clemency from former President Donald Trump.
Walkinshaw stated, “What we did not get were any substantive answers to advance our investigation.” He urged Trump to publicly rule out any clemency for Maxwell.
Legal Context and Responses
Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, highlighted the existence of a pending habeas petition that he claims indicates her trial was fundamentally unfair. He suggested that Maxwell would be willing to testify openly if granted clemency.
Markus emphasized, “If this Committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path.”
Context of the Investigation
This deposition occurs amidst an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which has recently released millions of documents pertaining to Epstein. These documents include significant materials related to Epstein’s connections to various prominent figures, including Trump.
Trump has denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes and claims to have distanced himself from Epstein by the early 2000s. He has also dismissed suggestions that incriminating notes were genuine.
Future Depositions
In related developments, the committee has scheduled additional depositions in connection with the Epstein investigation. Notable appearances include:
- Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on February 26.
- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton on February 27.
The Epstein scandal continues to unfold, with Maxwell at the center of discussions surrounding transparency and accountability.
