Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer questions during a closed-door deposition with the U.S. House Oversight Committee. The session was part of a congressional inquiry related to the criminal case involving Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell appeared remotely from a federal prison in Texas, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking offenses. Lawmakers sought information related to Epstein’s crimes and potential associates.
Closed-Door Deposition Conducted by House Oversight Committee
The deposition took place on Monday and was conducted virtually. According to committee leadership, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and did not provide substantive answers.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said the refusal to testify was expected. He stated that lawmakers had intended to ask about the scope of the trafficking operation and whether others were involved.
Fifth Amendment Invocation Limits Testimony
Under the U.S. Constitution, individuals may decline to answer questions under oath if responses could be self-incriminating. Maxwell relied on this protection throughout the deposition.
Members of the committee said the lack of testimony limited their ability to gather new information. Lawmakers had hoped to clarify details related to the crimes and identify any additional individuals connected to the case.
Statements From Lawmakers and Survivors
Some members of Congress expressed frustration following the deposition. They said the committee’s goal was to obtain information that could support accountability and provide clarity for the public.
A group of Epstein survivors had previously urged lawmakers to approach any statements from Maxwell with caution. In a letter sent to the committee, they warned that her past lack of cooperation with law enforcement should be considered when evaluating her credibility.
Clemency Request and Legal Position
Maxwell’s attorney stated prior to the deposition that she would be willing to provide full testimony if granted clemency by President Donald Trump. The White House has said no leniency has been discussed in relation to her case.
Maxwell has sought a presidential pardon and has been accused by prosecutors of making false statements to federal officials in the past.
Background on Maxwell’s Conviction
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein. Epstein, a financier facing federal sex trafficking charges, died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The case has led to ongoing scrutiny of individuals connected to Epstein and continued calls for transparency around investigative records.
Release of Epstein Investigation Records
The deposition occurred amid the release of millions of pages of records related to the Epstein investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The document release followed the passage of a federal law requiring broader disclosure of case files.
Members of Congress have been granted access to review unredacted versions of the records in person at the Department of Justice. Some survivors have called for further transparency regarding remaining redactions and unreleased materials.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
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