Ghislaine Maxwell issues ultimatum: Evade Epstein inquiries unless specific terms are granted
Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn her conviction, arguing that she was unlawfully prosecuted based on the immunity deal Epstein secured in 2007 with the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida.
Maxwell's legal team contends that the plea agreement, which explicitly protects Epstein's co-conspirators from prosecution, should also protect Maxwell, even though she was not explicitly named. They argue that the agreement, which states the immunity "is not limited to" the individuals named, covers unnamed co-conspirators like Maxwell.
The key legal arguments from Maxwell's team include:
- The plea deal Epstein negotiated prevented criminal charges not only against the specifically named suspects but also against any potential co-conspirators, which they argue logically includes Maxwell, even though she was not explicitly named.
- There is a circuit split on whether a promise made by a U.S. Attorney’s office in one district (Southern District of Florida) is binding on other districts (such as the Southern District of New York where Maxwell was prosecuted). Maxwell's legal team claims the Second Circuit ruling against her ignores precedent and improperly allows prosecution despite Epstein’s immunity deal.
- They frame this as a critical and recurring legal issue that the Supreme Court should resolve, highlighting the government’s concession that lower courts disagree on the extent and enforceability of such immunity promises across districts.
The Justice Department, however, has urged the Supreme Court to reject Maxwell’s petition, indicating strong opposition to overturning her conviction and rejecting the applicability of Epstein's deal to her case.
Maxwell's current predicament stems from her sentencing to 20 years in federal prison for her role in procuring underage girls for Epstein's sexual abuse. Last week, she was slapped with a subpoena to testify in front of Congress. However, Maxwell is attempting to delay her deposition before the House Oversight Committee, asking Chairman James Comer to grant her formal immunity prior to her interview with the committee.
In a letter addressed to Comer, Maxwell's attorneys laid out three conditions for her testimony, including formal immunity. They also asked for the questions the committee intends to ask in advance. The House Oversight Committee, however, is refusing Maxwell's bid for immunity, stating they will not consider granting congressional immunity for Maxwell's testimony.
Maxwell's legal team insists the agreed-upon terms did not include any geographical restrictions. They argue that the government has an obligation to honor the 2007 non-prosecution agreement initially made by Epstein, which they believe should have also shielded Maxwell from criminal charges.
However, federal prosecutors had previously determined Epstein's agreement was only valid in Florida, opening the door for both Epstein and Maxwell to face charges in New York. Maxwell's attorneys and the House Oversight Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment from our website Digital.
[1] CNN [3] New York Times [5] Associated Press
- The legal team of Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in procuring underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse, is arguing that the general-news of Epstein's 2007 immunity deal in the Southern District of Florida should also protect her from prosecution, as the agreement's immunity is not limited to individuals named specifically.
- Maxwell's legal struggle extends to politics, as she has requested formal immunity before testifying in front of the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating crime-and-justice matters. However, the House Oversight Committee has refused her bid for immunity, stating they will not consider granting it.
