Ghislaine Maxwell, ex-girlfriend and confidante of the billionaire sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, has been found guilty of sex trafficking. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and indicted for her alleged involvement with sexual crimes committed by Epstein. The Department of Justice detailed that her charges were multiple counts of criminal sexual activity and perjury in a press release.
Ghislaine Maxwell Before the Indictment
Ghislaine Maxwell grew up privileged in Oxford, England. Her father was the owner of Pergamon Press. Because of her family’s wealth and pedigree, she rubbed elbows with much of England’s elite.
After Maxwell’s father passed away in the mid-90s, she relocated to New York permanently, where she met Jeffrey Epstein. Initially, they dated. Over time, accounts from others became unclear as to the actual nature of their relationship.
Maxwell’s townhome and Epstein’s mansion were a stone’s throw away from one another, and that she worked as Epstein’s assistant. She also accompanied him to many high-society events. For instance, in 2000, they attended a gathering at the Queen’s Sandringham House via invitation of Prince Andrew. They were friends of Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.
In 2005, Palm Beach Police opened an investigation on Epstein based on an accusation made by the parents of a 14-year old girl. They reported that Epstein paid their daughter for a massage at his home and molested her. Soon the FBI became involved. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a child for prostitution and served 13 months in jail.
Indictment and Conviction
Maxwell began publicly distancing herself from Epstein after his release, and she married millionaire Scott Borgerson. Until Epstein got under arrest and faced sex trafficking charges in 2019, the FBI began investigating Maxwell for her involvement.
Upon her arrest, authorities transported Maxwell to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The court held her with no bail because they considered her a flight risk. Thus far, Maxwell’s attorneys have reported that she has deteriorated from the physical abuse and inhumane treatment from corrections staff at MDC since her detainment.
Maxwell pleaded not guilty and denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Her trial began on November 29th, and defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim did everything to discredit the four victims who testified against Ms. Maxwell. The defense claimed the accusers were money motivated and scapegoated her since Epstein’s suicide in August 2019.
However, the evidence presented by the prosecution and victim testimony (from 4 out of the 36 girls identified by federal officials who made similar allegations) made clear. Since 1994, the defendant enticed and groomed young girls to participate in sex acts and occasionally joined alongside Epstein in the abuse.
Closing arguments for the defense were on December 20th. The jury deliberated over six days, ultimately deciding upon a guilty verdict for five out of six counts. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan has not set Ms. Maxwell’s sentencing hearing. Still, according to the maximum penalties for each charge, she faces up to 65 years in prison.
By Alicia Hughley
