Justice Department files to release grand jury testimony in Epstein case
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Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Forbes
Ghislaine Maxwell Speaks With DOJ: What To Know About Her Alleged Perjury About Epstein
Justice Department prosecutors interviewed Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on Thursday, after officials said they would ask her about Epstein's other associates—but critics have raised concerns about whether her testimony can be trusted, pointing to Maxwell's ongoing prison sentence and history of allegedly lying under oath. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Cipriani Wall Street on March 15, 2005 in New York City. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images DOJ officials are interviewing Maxwell at a courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Maxwell's attorneys reportedly arriving around 9 a.m. EDT on Thursday morning. Blanche previously said the agency wanted to speak with her to find out 'information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims.' The interview comes as the DOJ has controversially refused to otherwise release documents about its investigation into Epstein, and as Maxwell serves a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted on charges of sex trafficking and transporting minors to participate in illegal sex acts. Maxwell is also still in the process of appealing her conviction, most recently asking the Supreme Court to take it up, and critics and legal experts have expressed concern she could use the interview to her own benefit to get a more lenient sentence from the federal government. Those fears have been amplified by Maxwell's history of alleged perjury, as the socialite was charged with perjury in 2020 based on allegedly lying during a 2016 deposition in a civil lawsuit about Epstein's alleged sexual abuse. Maxwell was never tried or convicted of perjury: The charges were separated from her other counts prior to her 2021 trial, and when she sought a retrial of her sex trafficking charges, prosecutors offered to drop the perjury charges as long as her conviction on the other, more serious, counts was allowed to stand. It still remains to be seen what Maxwell has told prosecutors during her interview, and if her testimony will be made public or lead to any reprieve in her prison sentence. Blanche denied comment when he arrived at the courthouse Thursday morning, ABC News reports, while Maxwell's attorney David O. Markus only said, 'We're looking forward to a productive day.' DOJ officials are expected to meet with Maxwell all day Thursday, and the interview could stretch into a second day, according to sources cited by the Tallahassee Democrat. Why Was Ghislaine Maxwell Charged With Perjury? Maxwell was charged with perjury based on answers she gave in a 2016 deposition regarding Epstein's alleged abuse and her own complicity. The indictment against her cited multiple comments she made denying any knowledge of Epstein's alleged abuse: When asked if Epstein had a 'scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages,' she responded, 'I don't know what you're talking about,' for instance, and she said she 'was not aware of anybody that I interacted with' at Epstein's properties being underage, other than a plaintiff involved in the civil lawsuit. Maxwell also testified under oath she was not aware of any 'sex toys or devices' being used at Epstein's properties, and that she had never personally given Epstein or any of his victims a massage. She also claimed she was unaware of Epstein engaging in 'sexual activities' with anyone besides herself and two women she and Epstein had 'three-way sexual activities with,' saying in her deposition, 'I wasn't aware that he was having sexual activities with anyone when I was with him other than myself.' When asked again by attorneys to confirm that her testimony was that she was 'not aware' of Epstein having any other sexual partners, Maxwell doubled down, saying, 'That is my testimony, that is correct.' Her statements conflict with charges in the indictment that Maxwell was later convicted on, which alleged Maxwell conducted massages and was 'present for and participated in the abuse of minor victims,' among other allegations. Maxwell's perjury charges weren't dealt with at her trial in 2021 alongside her sex trafficking charges, as she successfully requested to have those charges separated before her trial. Maxwell argued, and the court agreed, that the charges should be tried separately because they would have involved evidence that could have prejudiced the jury on the other charges, and it may have disqualified one of her attorneys from the trial because they participated in the earlier case. The perjury counts were still slated to proceed to trial after Maxwell was convicted in 2021, but prosecutors then offered to have the charges dropped in exchange for letting the conviction stand, rather than going through the whole process of having the sex trafficking charges tried again. The government suggested it was willing to drop the lesser perjury charges for the benefit of Epstein's victims, given that Maxwell had already been convicted, citing 'the victims' significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.' Chief Critic Multiple legal experts and critics have raised concerns about Maxwell's testimony, given her history of alleged perjury and the fact she could benefit from giving the Trump administration favorable testimony, such as exonerating Trump from Epstein's crimes or suggesting that individuals who are opposed to Trump were involved. 'Any 'new' testimony [Maxwell] offers is inherently unreliable unless backed by evidence,' former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance said on X on Thursday. Bradley Edwards, an attorney representing Epstein victims who was involved in the case where Maxwell was deposed, told MSNBC on Wednesday that victims are 'alarmed' by the DOJ speaking with Maxwell and that she is being 'somehow given some credibility and a platform on this particular topic.' 'We're going to go and ask somebody to tell the truth who was indicted on perjury charges related to this particular topic,' Edwards said. 'Now, does she have information that could potentially help? Yes. Will she be truthful about it? Who knows.' Edwards called for anyone interviewing Maxwell to be well-versed in the Epstein case and what Maxwell has testified previously, arguing, 'Sending somebody there who knows nothing, she's going to say whatever she wants to say.' How Could Ghislaine Maxwell's Testimony Impact Her Case? The Trump administration could grant Maxwell some leniency in exchange for her testimony through a 'Rule 35 motion,' which allows prosecutors to request the court reduce a defendant's sentence because of actions they took post-sentencing. That could include providing 'substantial assistance' to the government in a different prosecution, such as if Maxwell were to provide information about other Epstein associates who are implicated in his alleged crimes. Trump could also theoretically pardon Maxwell or commute her sentence, though the optics of doing so would likely cause considerable public backlash. The Supreme Court is still deliberating on whether to grant Maxwell's request for justices to reconsider her conviction, as Maxwell argues a non-prosecution agreement Epstein made in 2008, which allowed him to plead guilty to some charges in order to avoid a life sentence in prison, also shielded her from liability. (Epstein was later indicted in 2019 after more information about his alleged abuse became public, and died in prison before his trial.) The Trump administration has so far opposed Maxwell's request at the Supreme Court, filing a brief on July 14 that argues the court should not take up the case and should let her conviction stand. Tangent In addition to the DOJ, the House Oversight Committee is planning to interview Maxwell, voting Wednesday in favor of issuing a subpoena for her testimony. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., suggested lawmakers could also tie Maxwell's testimony and its truthfulness to her sentence, giving her incentive to be helpful. 'The one thing we've got holding over her head is that if we find out she lies, she goes back to her original sentence,' Burchett said. 'If she's looking at maybe parlaying this into reducing her sentence, then we could have some leverage there.' Epstein has been accused of assaulting more than 100 women prior to his 2019 arrest, many of whom were underage, and Maxwell has been identified as his primary co-conspirator in helping him to allegedly coerce and assault his victims. The DOJ's interest in speaking with her comes as interest over the Epstein files has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, following the agency's memo that announced it would not release any further files and debunked various conspiracies linked to Epstein, such as the existence of a 'client list.' The memo has sparked widespread backlash against the DOJ, as officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi had long promised the files would be released, with even Trump's supporters criticizing the administration and calling on Bondi to resign. While the DOJ has remained steadfast on not releasing the files in response to the public outcry, its decision to speak with Maxwell is one of several more minor steps the administration has taken in regards to the Epstein case. Prosecutors have also asked courts in cases against Epstein and Maxwell to unseal grand jury documents that reflect the decisions to bring indictments against the two defendants. Those filings are expected to be much more limited than the full tranche of documents the government has in its possession, however, and it's unclear when or if they could be publicly released, with one court already rejecting the government's request for materials to be unsealed. Further Reading Forbes Top DOJ Official Will Meet With Ghislaine Maxwell Amid Epstein Files Drama By Alison Durkee Forbes Here's What Jeffrey Epstein Was Accused Of, Convicted For—And The New Questions By Zachary Folk Forbes U.S. Prosecutors Offer To Drop Ghislaine Maxwell Perjury Charges If No Retrial In Sex Trafficking Case By Robert Hart
CNN
27 minutes ago
- CNN
What to expect from DOJ meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell
What to expect from DOJ meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting with Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida, two people familiar with the meeting tell CNN. Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez explains what to expect from the unusual meeting. 01:43 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett on the significance of Trump knowing he's in the Epstein files CNN's Erin Burnett explains how reports that President Trump was briefed that he is named in the Epstein files shine a light on his recent denials of that exact claim. 02:13 - Source: CNN Judge declines to release Epstein grand jury documents A Florida federal judge declined to release additional grand jury documents from the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first roadblock in the Justice Department's efforts to quell the public backlash over the handling of the case. CNN's Evan Perez reports. 02:43 - Source: CNN Kaitlan Collins asks Tulsi Gabbard if she's targeting Obama to improve her standing with Trump 00:51 - Source: CNN Trump announces US-Japan trade deal President Donald Trump announced a long-awaited trade agreement with Japan on Tuesday night, a framework between the allies and major trading partners that appeared elusive just weeks ago. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout breaks down what's in the deal. 00:46 - Source: CNN What's behind White House attacks on the Fed Chair? White House advisers are ramping up attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. CNN's Phil Mattingly explains why the Trump Administration could make Powell's life miserable, even as the President says he has no plan to fire him. 02:09 - Source: CNN Johnson shuts door on House vote before Sept. to release Epstein files Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not plan to allow votes on any measures related to the Jeffrey Epstein case before September, despite intense pressure from some of his own GOP members. 01:10 - Source: CNN Jon Stewart slams CBS for canceling 'Late Show' "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart slammed CBS during his first broadcast since Stephen Colbert announced "The Late Show" would not return beyond May 2026. Some critics alleged the cancellation of Colbert's show is an effort to smooth the parent company's desired merger with Skydance Media. CBS cited financial reasons for discontinuing the show. 01:49 - Source: CNN Epstein accuser recounts Trump's late-night visit to Epstein's office Jeffrey Epstein accuser Maria Farmer talks to CNN's Erin Burnett about an interaction she had with President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein when she was 25. The White House denies that President Trump visited Jeffrey Epstein's office 03:44 - Source: CNN Will Commanders' billionaire owners give in to Trump? President Donald Trump has threatened to restrict a stadium deal with the NFL's Washington Commanders if they don't change the team name back to 'Redskins.' CNN Contributor and Prime Video host of "The Cari Champion Show" Cari Champion says she has 'a hard time believing' the owners will capitulate. 02:10 - Source: CNN An inside look at one of the most coveted offices in the US Capitol Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) gives CNN's Dana Bash a tour of his office once occupied by the late Senator John McCain, as well as a "hideaway" that offers an impressive view and backdrop for bipartisan discussions both senators are known for. 02:17 - Source: CNN Harvard takes on Trump administration in court Harvard University was back in court for a hearing in its funding fight case against the Trump administration, who froze more than $2 billion in federal funding for research this Spring. Harvard lawyer Steven Lehotsky argued the government is in 'blatant and unrepentant violation' of the First Amendment, as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. CNN's Betsy Klein reports. 01:51 - Source: CNN Democrats walk out before vote for controversial Trump nominee Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans voted on Thursday to advance the nomination of Emil Bove, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, to a federal judgeship, over the loud protests of Democrats. 01:42 - Source: CNN Trump's 'Manosphere' problems Influential podcasters with large audiences of millennial and Gen Z men helped propel President Donald Trump to victory in 2024. Now some of those same voices are sharing criticisms of the current administration. CNN's Steve Contorno breaks it down. 01:56 - Source: CNN Trump DOJ fires federal prosecutor in Epstein case Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor in the case against accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, has been fired from her job in the Southern District of New York, according to people familiar with the situation. 01:56 - Source: CNN Bernie Sanders calls Trump's GOP 'cult of the individual' Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) tells CNN's Anderson Cooper that Republicans developed an almost Stalinist-type devotion to President Donald Trump. 00:45 - Source: CNN This Native American senator brings Oklahoma ranch style to Washington Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) gives CNN's Dana Bash a tour of his Capitol office, which showcases his Cherokee heritage and rancher lifestyle. 02:35 - Source: CNN Ex-Trump business associate on Trump's friendship with Epstein CNN's Erin Burnett speaks with former Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino COO Jack O'Donnell about one of President Trump's previous interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. 02:27 - Source: CNN Fearing ICE crackdown, this family self-deports Fearing increased immigration enforcement, undocumented immigrant Julio Mendoza and his American wife, Sasha, made the difficult decision to self-deport to Mexico with their three children, all of whom are US Citizens. CNN's Priscilla Alvarez reports. 01:35 - Source: CNN
American Press
an hour ago
- American Press
UPDATE: Justice Department will meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's imprisoned girlfriend
Ghislaine Maxwell, founder of the terraMar Project, attends a press conference June 25, 2013, on the Issue of Oceans in Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations headquarters. (Associated Press Archives) Justice Department officials were set to meet on Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter. The meeting in Florida, which Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Tuesday he was working to arrange, is part of an ongoing Justice Department effort to cast itself as transparent following fierce backlash from parts of President Donald Trump's base over an earlier refusal to release additional records in the Epstein investigation. In a social media post Tuesday, Blanche said that Trump 'has told us to release all credible evidence' and that if Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the Justice Department 'will hear what she has to say.' A Justice Department spokesman did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Thursday. The person who confirmed the meeting insisted on anonymity to describe a closed-door encounter to The Associated Press. A lawyer for Maxwell confirmed on Tuesday there were discussions with the government and said Maxwell 'will always testify truthfully.' The House Committee on Oversight issued a subpoena on Wednesday for Maxwell to testify before committee officials in August. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence and is housed at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She was sentenced three years ago after being convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Officials have said Epstein killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell's links to famous people, including royals, presidents and billionaires. Earlier this month, the Justice Department said it would not release more files related to the Epstein investigation, despite promises that claimed otherwise from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The department also said an Epstein client list does not exist. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Bondi told Trump in May that his name was among high-profile people mentioned in government files of Epstein, though the mention does not imply wrongdoing. Trump, a Republican, has said that he once thought Epstein was a 'terrific guy' but that they later had a falling out. A subcommittee on Wednesday also voted to subpoena the Justice Department for documents related to Epstein. And senators in both major political parties have expressed openness to holding hearings on the matter after Congress' August recess. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has introduced legislation with bipartisan support that would require the Justice Department to 'make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials' related to Epstein and his associates. House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican majority leader, Rep. Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, have said they will address whatever outstanding Epstein-related issues are in Congress when they return from recess. Epstein, under a 2008 nonprosecution agreement, pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. That allowed him to avert a possible life sentence, instead serving 13 months in a work release program. He was required to make payments to victims and register as a sex offender. In 2019, Epstein was charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for nearly identical allegations.
