Latest news with #indictments
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
DoJ pushes for release of Epstein and Maxwell grand jury transcripts
Transcripts of the grand jury proceedings that led to the sex trafficking indictments of the sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, British socialiate Ghislaine Maxwell, include the testimony of just two law enforcement witnesses, the Department of Justice has said, as it argues for the documents' release. Top justice department officials disclosed in a filing late on Tuesday in New York City federal court that separate grand juries convened to consider the criminal investigations of Epstein and Maxwell, and had heard from only two witnesses. The revelation was made in the course of court wrangling over whether the transcripts of the proceedings should be unsealed, amid the continuing furor over the Epstein scandal which has roiled Donald Trump's second term. The Trump administration is urging the two federal judges who presided over the Epstein and Maxwell grand juries, Richard Berman and Paul Engelmayer, to release the testimony, in an attempt to calm the uproar. The Trump administration has come under intense pressure from the president's own base of supporters who were infuriated by the justice department's decision not to release any additional Epstein files about the late, disgraced financier's crimes involving the sex trafficking of girls. The decision jarred with the previous stance of senior administration figures, including Trump himself and the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, who had hyped the expected release of more details of the New York financier's businesses, travels and associations, including a possible list of his financial clients, which all further stoked conspiracies around the well-connected Epstein. Tuesday's submission states that the grand jury tasked with considering the criminal case against Epstein heard only from an FBI agent when it met in June and July 2019. A similar grand jury for Maxwell heard from the same FBI agent and a New York police department detective when it met in June and July 2020 and in March 2021. The memorandum was signed by Jay Clayton, US attorney for the southern district of New York, and included the names of Bondi and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche. Epstein took his own life in a federal jail in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, officials say, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell's links to famous people, such as royals, presidents and billionaires, including Trump. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with Epstein in the sexual trafficking of minors. She was convicted in December 2021 on charges that she lured teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Last week, she sat for two sets of interviews with justice department officials, including Blanche, in Florida, where she is serving her time in a federal prison, and answered questions 'about 100 different people', her attorney said. Trump has denied prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes and claimed he had cut off their relationship long ago. But he faces ongoing questions about the Epstein case.. On Tuesday, Trump spoke about connections between Epstein and the president's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. He claimed he evicted the financier from the resort because Epstein 'stole' young female staffers from him, including Virginia Giuffre who went on to be a key witness against Epstein and Maxwell. Giuffre died in April. Maxwell has offered to testify before Congress but with conditions, including being granted immunity. Her lawyer has written to the House committee which has subpoenaed her saying that a deposition without immunity would be a 'non-starter'. The justice department memorandum says unsealing the transcripts is 'consistent with increasing calls for additional disclosures in this matter'. The Associated Press contributed reporting
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Justice Department says Epstein and Maxwell grand juries heard from only 2 law enforcement witnesses
Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, during a news conference in New York on July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) The U.S. Justice Department says in support of its request to unseal grand jury transcripts of proceedings that led to the sex trafficking indictments of New York financier and sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell that they include the testimony of just two law enforcement witnesses. In a filing late Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, officials describe the grand jury witnesses in a memorandum in response to a call from judges presiding over both cases to provide more details about their request earlier this month. Judges would have to approve any request to unseal records. Grand jury transcripts are rarely released by courts, unless they need to be disclosed in connection with a judicial proceeding. The papers filed Tuesday cite a 1997 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said judges have wide discretion and public interest alone can justify releasing grand jury information. The Epstein grand jury heard only from an FBI agent when it met in June and July of 2019, while the Maxwell grand jury heard from the same FBI agent and a New York Police Department detective when it met in June and July of 2020 and in March of 2021, according to the submission. The memorandum was signed by Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and included the names of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The request to unseal the transcripts came after the Justice Department enraged parts of President Donald Trump's base of supporters when it announced in early July it wouldn't be making public any more Epstein files. The decision not to make additional materials public shocked some Trump supporters because members of his administration had hyped the expected release and stoked conspiracies around the well-connected financier. Epstein took his own life in a federal jail in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges, officials say, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell's links to famous people, such as royals, presidents and billionaires, including Trump. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her December 2021 conviction on sex trafficking charges that accused her of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Last week, she sat for one and a half days of interviews with Justice Department officials in Florida, answering questions 'about 100 different people,' her attorney said. Maxwell was being interviewed because of Trump's directive to gather and release any credible evidence about others who may have committed crimes, the deputy attorney general said. Trump has denied prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes and claimed he had cut off their relationship long ago. But he faces ongoing questions about the Epstein case, overshadowing his administration's achievements. When reporters last week pressed the Republican president about possibly pardoning Maxwell, he deflected, emphasizing his administration's successes. After the request to unseal grand jury records, two former prosecutors in Manhattan told The Associated Press the transcripts would be relatively short and contain only the testimony of law enforcement witnesses talking about evidence that tracks information in the indictments. In its filing Tuesday, the Justice Department further dampened expectations the grand jury transcripts would contain new revelations when it said 'certain aspects and subject matters' contained in them became public during Maxwell's trial. The memorandum said many of the victims whose accounts relating to Epstein and Maxwell came up in grand jury testimony testified at trial consistent with what was described by the FBI agent and the NYPD detective and some information was made public through civil litigation. The government said no Epstein or Maxwell family members have come forward to express an interest in the request to unseal the grand jury transcripts, although Maxwell has indicated she will file a position with the court. The memorandum says the request to unseal the transcripts is 'consistent with increasing calls for additional disclosures in this matter.' 'There is undoubtedly a clearly expressed interest from the public in Jeffrey Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes,' it says. 'Beyond that, there is abundant public interest in the investigative work conducted by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation into those crimes.' Under a 2008 non-prosecution agreement, Epstein 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. Epstein was later charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for nearly identical allegations in 2019. Larry Neumeister, The Associated Press
BreakingNews.ie
4 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Epstein and Maxwell grand juries ‘heard from only two law enforcement witnesses'
The US Justice Department has said grand jury transcripts of proceedings that led to the sex-trafficking indictments of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell include evidence from just two law enforcement witnesses. In a filing in Manhattan federal court, in support of its request to unseal grand jury transcripts, officials describe the grand jury witnesses in a memorandum in response to a call from judges presiding over both cases to provide more details about their request earlier this month. Judges would have to approve any request to unseal records. Advertisement Grand jury transcripts are rarely released by courts unless they need to be disclosed in connection with a judicial proceeding. The papers filed late on Tuesday cite a 1997 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said judges have wide discretion and public interest alone can justify releasing grand jury information. The Epstein grand jury heard only from an FBI agent when it met in June and July 2019, while the Maxwell grand jury heard from the same FBI agent and a New York Police Department detective when it met in June and July 2020 and March 2021, according to the submission. Ghislaine Maxwell (Dominique Mollard/AP) The memorandum was signed by Jay Clayton, US attorney for the Southern District of New York, and included the names of attorney general Pam Bondi and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche. The request to unseal the transcripts came after the Justice Department enraged parts of President Donald Trump's base of supporters when it announced in early July it would not make public any more Epstein files. Advertisement The decision not to make additional materials public shocked some Trump supporters because members of his administration had hyped the expected release and stoked conspiracies around Epstein. The well-connected financier and convicted sex abuser killed himself in a federal jail in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex-trafficking charges, officials say, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell's links to famous people, such as royals, presidents and billionaires, including Mr Trump. British socialite Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her December 2021 conviction for luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Last week, she sat for interviews with Justice Department officials in Florida, answering questions 'about 100 different people', her lawyer said. Advertisement Maxwell was being interviewed because of Mr Trump's directive to gather and release any credible evidence about others who may have committed crimes, the deputy attorney general said. The president has denied prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes and claimed he had cut off their relationship long ago, but he faces ongoing questions about the case. When reporters pressed Mr Trump last week about possibly pardoning Maxwell, he deflected, emphasising his administration's successes. Donald Trump (Chris Furlong/PA) After the request to unseal grand jury records, two former prosecutors in Manhattan told the Associated Press the transcripts would be relatively short and contain only the testimony of law enforcement witnesses talking about evidence that tracks information in the indictments. Advertisement In its filing on Tuesday, the Justice Department further dampened expectations that the grand jury transcripts would contain new revelations when it said 'certain aspects and subject matters' in them became public during Maxwell's trial. The memorandum said many of the victims whose accounts relating to Epstein and Maxwell came up in grand jury testimony gave evidence at trial consistent with what was described by the FBI agent and the NYPD detective and some information was made public through civil litigation. The government said no Epstein or Maxwell family members have come forward to express an interest in the request to unseal the grand jury transcripts, although Maxwell has indicated she will file a position with the court. Under a 2008 non-prosecution agreement, Epstein 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 programme. He was required to make payments to victims and register as a sex offender. Advertisement He was later charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for nearly identical allegations in 2019.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Curses as White House Faith Office Lunch Takes Bizarre Turn
Things got a bit awkward during the White House Faith Office luncheon on Monday. Not only did President Donald Trump curse in front of faith leaders—calling Biden-era indictments against him 'bulls--t'—he raged that he he had been investigated more than the gangster Al Capone, bragged he has 'always made money,' and incorrectly claimed gas prices are the lowest they have been in 50 years. Those topics did not appear to be part of Trump's prepared remarks. As he addressed assembled religious business leaders from the podium, he looked down occasionally at his speech but went off on tangents as he worked his way through the text. 'I've ended the radical left war on faith, and we're once again protecting religious freedom instead of destroying it, and God is once again welcomed back into our public square,' Trump said, clearly part of his prepared remarks. Trump, 79, compared himself to Capone moments later. He characterized the notorious gangster, believed to have murdered over 200 people, as 'great.' 'I was under investigation more than the late, great, Alphonse Capone,' Trump said. 'Think of it. Al Capone would kill people for dinner. If he left the room and he didn't like him, he'd have him shot, killed, buried under a building someplace, as part of the foundation of a building. They're all over the place, and I said I had more time under investigation than the legendary Alphonse Capone, or probably anybody else.' Trump then misremembered that he had been indicted four times in 2023, not five. 'The one thing I did that was very helpful, I was indicted five times. Indicted, that wasn't a word that was in—my father's looking down, my mother's looking down, that my son's not supposed to be indicted,' he said. 'I think I got indicted five times, impeached two times. All bulls--t, right? Terrible stuff.' The luncheon crowd, comprising 60 CEOs and business leaders who donate to faith-aligned charities, did not appear to mind the president's meandering, as they clapped and cheered throughout his speech as he rambled. 'Gas prices have reached the lowest level in five decades,' Trump remarked at one point. 'Actually, it's going to be, we're going to see some really good numbers where, you know, drill, baby drill, drill, baby drill. I've got to make sure that people can afford to produce the gas. ... 'But the gas has gotten to the lowest level in decades, and you're seeing $1.99 $1.98. I saw $1.95 at certain states, not California, because every time it goes down, they add taxes onto it,' Trump rambled. 'All they do is they keep adding taxes. Terrible governor, doesn't know what he's doing. He may be, he may be a candidate, but if you, if you go by success, you can't have him be a candidate.' Fox News reported that the White House luncheon is the 'first event of its kind.' The White House Faith Office was created by executive order in February. Trump grew up in a Reformed Church but rarely attends services as an adult. He has made a habit of name-dropping God since entering politics a decade ago, and he won the presidency in 2016 off the backs of Evangelical voters who later became his MAGA base.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Curses as White House Faith Office Lunch Takes Bizarre Turn
Things got a bit awkward during the White House Faith Office luncheon on Monday. Not only did President Donald Trump curse in front of faith leaders—calling Biden-era indictments against him 'bulls--t'—he raged that he he had been investigated more than the gangster Al Capone, bragged he has 'always made money,' and incorrectly claimed gas prices are the lowest they have been in 50 years. Those topics did not appear to be part of Trump's prepared remarks. As he addressed assembled religious business leaders from the podium, he looked down occasionally at his speech but went off on tangents as he worked his way through the text. 'I've ended the radical left war on faith, and we're once again protecting religious freedom instead of destroying it, and God is once again welcomed back into our public square,' Trump said, clearly part of his prepared remarks. Trump, 79, compared himself to Capone moments later. He characterized the notorious gangster, believed to have murdered over 200 people, as 'great.' 'I was under investigation more than the late, great, Alphonse Capone,' Trump said. 'Think of it. Al Capone would kill people for dinner. If he left the room and he didn't like him, he'd have him shot, killed, buried under a building someplace, as part of the foundation of a building. They're all over the place, and I said I had more time under investigation than the legendary Alphonse Capone, or probably anybody else.' Trump then misremembered that he had been indicted four times in 2023, not five. 'The one thing I did that was very helpful, I was indicted five times. Indicted, that wasn't a word that was in—my father's looking down, my mother's looking down, that my son's not supposed to be indicted,' he said. 'I think I got indicted five times, impeached two times. All bulls--t, right? Terrible stuff.' The luncheon crowd, comprising 60 CEOs and business leaders who donate to faith-aligned charities, did not appear to mind the president's meandering, as they clapped and cheered throughout his speech as he rambled. 'Gas prices have reached the lowest level in five decades,' Trump remarked at one point. 'Actually, it's going to be, we're going to see some really good numbers where, you know, drill, baby drill, drill, baby drill. I've got to make sure that people can afford to produce the gas. ... 'But the gas has gotten to the lowest level in decades, and you're seeing $1.99 $1.98. I saw $1.95 at certain states, not California, because every time it goes down, they add taxes onto it,' Trump rambled. 'All they do is they keep adding taxes. Terrible governor, doesn't know what he's doing. He may be, he may be a candidate, but if you, if you go by success, you can't have him be a candidate.' Fox News reported that the White House luncheon is the 'first event of its kind.' The White House Faith Office was created by executive order in February. Trump grew up in a Reformed Church but rarely attends services as an adult. He has made a habit of name-dropping God since entering politics a decade ago, and he won the presidency in 2016 off the backs of Evangelical voters who later became his MAGA base.
