Ghislaine Maxwell Meeting With Justice Department: What We Know
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to meet with a senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official on Thursday regarding her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, according to ABC News.
Newsweek reached out to the DOJ via a press inquiry form and Maxwell's attorney via email for comment on Thursday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has been under pressure over Epstein from a faction of his MAGA base since July 6, when the DOJ and FBI released a joint memo that said the sex offender had "no incriminating 'client list'" and reiterated that he died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019.
Conspiracy theorists have argued that the disgraced financier was murdered to protect the identity of powerful figures on an alleged client list, and Trump said he would have "no problem" releasing extra information about the case ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Trump has come under additional scrutiny since The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that in May, Attorney General Pam Bondi told the president his name appeared "multiple times" in the so-called Epstein files. This claim was dismissed as "another fake news story" by White House communications director Steven Cheung.
What To Know
ABC News published an article on Wednesday stating Maxwell was due to meet with a prominent DOJ figure on Thursday in Tallahassee, Florida, where the British socialite is being held in a federal prison.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Tuesday that, under Bondi's instruction, he had "communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department."
In the statement, published on Bondi's X account, Blanche added: "I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days."
He also said: "If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say."
Ghislaine Maxwell in New York City on September 20, 2013.
Ghislaine Maxwell in New York City on September 20, 2013.
Laura Cavanaugh/GETTY
Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, told ABC News: "I can confirm that we are in discussions with the government, and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully.
"We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case."
In December 2021, Maxwell was convicted on five counts, including one of sex trafficking of a minor, and subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison.
According to her indictment: "MAXWELL...then present for certain sexual encounters between minor victims and Epstein, such as interactions where a minor victim was undressed, and ultimately was present for sex acts perpetrated by Epstein on minor victims."
Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida in June 2008. He was arrested again in New York in July 2019 over allegations that he trafficked "dozens of underage girls" and was found dead in his jail cell a month later. Authorities said he died by suicide.
The DOJ asked the Supreme Court to reject Maxwell's appeal against her conviction on Monday after her request was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Also on Monday, Senator Ron Wyden, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to Bondi that the DOJ had "failed to conduct a real investigation" into Epstein's finances. He urged her to "follow the money."
What People Are Saying
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, in a statement: "President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say."
The DOJ and FBI, in their July 6 memo about Jeffrey Epstein: "This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list.' There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."
Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, on X: "Trump told the press he was not informed that his name was in the Epstein files. Now we learn that this was a lie. He was told by Bondi, his former criminal defense lawyer and now the AG. Time to end the Trump/Epstein cover-up. Release the files."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether a meeting between Maxwell and the DOJ will take place, and if so, what information will be gleaned. Trump is likely to face continued pressure to release more information about the Epstein case.
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