Washington, United States. Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions at a deposition before the United States House’s Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Monday, according to lawmakers, prompting criticism from both Republican and Democratic members.
Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and declined to respond, lawmakers said after the deposition.
Lawmakers cite lack of answers
Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 for her role in helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
“This is obviously very disappointing. We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators,” the committee’s chairman, Republican Representative James Comer, told reporters.
Democrats said Maxwell used the deposition to campaign for clemency from US President Donald Trump and urged Trump to rule out such a move.
“What we did not get were any substantive answers to the questions that were asked that would advance our investigation,” said Representative James Walkinshaw, a Virginia Democrat.
“What we did get was another episode in her long-running campaign for clemency from President Trump. And President Trump could end that today – he could rule out clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, the monster.”
Maxwell’s lawyer links testimony to clemency
David Markus, a lawyer for Maxwell, said he advised her to invoke the Fifth Amendment because she has a pending habeas petition that he said “demonstrates that her conviction rests on a fundamentally unfair trial.”
“If this Committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path. Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” Markus said in a statement to the committee posted on social media on Monday.
Context of Justice Department document release
The deposition took place as the US Department of Justice has released millions of internal documents related to Epstein.
The documents include photos of Trump with several women whose faces are redacted, and a suggestive note to Epstein framed by the outline of a naked woman that appears to bear Trump’s signature.
What questions would you want lawmakers to ask in the committee’s investigation?