Ghislaine Maxwell Refuses to Answer Questions in Congressional Deposition

Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, declined to answer questions during a closed-door deposition before the US House Oversight Committee on Monday.

Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking in a Texas prison, appeared virtually. Republican Committee Chairman James Comer said that, “as expected,” Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

“This is obviously very disappointing,” Comer said, adding that lawmakers had sought information on crimes committed by Maxwell and Epstein, as well as potential co-conspirators. “We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people, and justice for the survivors. That’s what this investigation is about.”

The Fifth Amendment protects Americans from self-incrimination, allowing them to refuse to answer questions while under oath. Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury suggested after the session that Maxwell appeared to use the hearing as an opportunity to “campaign for clemency.”

Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, posted on social media that she was “prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,” adding that “only she can provide the complete account.”

Before her appearance, Epstein survivors urged Congress to remain sceptical of Maxwell’s testimony, noting her previous refusals to identify “the many powerful men” allegedly involved in Epstein’s operations. The White House has confirmed that no leniency is being considered for Maxwell.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in recruiting underage girls for Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. She has sought a presidential pardon and has been accused of lying to federal authorities.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna had planned to question Maxwell about court filings indicating “four named co-conspirators” and 25 others not indicted, as well as her and Epstein’s past social ties with former President Donald Trump and whether a pardon had been discussed. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has not been accused of crimes by Epstein’s victims.

Khanna noted that Maxwell’s decision to plead the Fifth appeared inconsistent with prior meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, where she did not invoke the amendment and denied witnessing any inappropriate conduct by Trump or former President Bill Clinton.

Monday’s deposition was originally scheduled for last August but was delayed at Maxwell’s request pending a Supreme Court ruling related to her case.

The deposition coincides with the Department of Justice releasing millions of pages from its investigation into Epstein. Lawmakers are now permitted to review nearly three million un-redacted documents in person at the DOJ.

Comer welcomed the development, calling the access to un-redacted files “great,” while Epstein survivors have called for greater transparency regarding the remaining unreleased material.