Maxwell’s refusal came on the same day that lawmakers began reviewing classified Justice Department documents in the Epstein investigation.
Ghislaine Maxwell testified at the 5th House hearing on Jeffrey Epstein
A convicted co-defendant of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein has refused to answer questions from a House committee.
WASHINGTON – Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted co-defendant of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions from a House committee on February 9 seeking information about who else helped them.
Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring to transport minors to travel for illicit sex, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to avoid answering questions from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The refusal came despite her answering questions from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July.
“Who is she protecting?” asked Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the committee’s top Democrat.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department has begun allowing lawmakers to examine millions of unreleased documents in Epstein’s files. The department has released millions of documents under the Epstein File Transparency Act, but has withheld millions more that authorities say reveal the names of people who have accused Epstein of abuse or conceal the department’s legal analysis of the case.
Photos and documents in the file feature political and business leaders, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Neither has been accused of wrongdoing, but critics of the secrecy say potential criminal defendants are being kept hidden.
Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the sponsors of recent legislation requiring the release of all documents with narrow exceptions, announced on February 9 that they would begin reviewing the documents.
Massey threatened to release the names of his alleged accomplices if the department did not respond. He asked his social media followers for suggestions on what to look for in the files.
A House of Commons committee asked Maxwell to testify as part of its investigation into how the Epstein case was handled. Its chairman, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), said the goal is to learn how the government failed Epstein’s victims. Other witnesses, including Mr. Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, agreed to depositions in late February.
Despite Maxwell’s refusal to testify, Khanna announced his scheduled questions. Ms Khanna wanted to know who the four co-conspirators and 25 men she said in a December court filing were to secretly settle the case to avoid prosecution. Khanna also wanted to know why the alleged accomplices were not prosecuted.
“Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked and abused hundreds of girls,” Khanna said on social media. “I will not rest until we have answers and justice for survivors.”
Comer said the committee has five more depositions scheduled. February 26th with Hillary Clinton. February 17th with Bill Clinton. March 11th with Epstein’s accountant Richard Kahn. March 18th with Epstein attorney Darren Indyke.
“We will continue to move forward and try to get answers for the American people,” Comer said.
Why did Maxwell ignore Congress and talk to the Justice Department?
Maxwell has not explained why he actively participated in a two-day meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and other Justice Department officials in July, and has now declined to answer questions from Congress.
Several factors may be at play. First, Blanche is a member of the Trump administration, and President Donald Trump has the power to issue a pardon that would allow Maxwell to be released. The interview may have served as a means to directly plead for such a pardon.
Immediately after completing that interview, Maxwell was transferred from a Florida prison to a safer, less secure facility in Texas. Perhaps she approached Blanche expecting such a benefit. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence.
Blanche granted Maxwell limited immunity for her testimony. According to a transcript of that interview, the Justice Department could indict Ms. Branch for lying, but her words could not be used in subsequent prosecutions unless she chose to testify in her own defense.
Maxwell can also be expected to use the possibility of testifying before Congress as leverage going forward.
In July, her lawyers sent a letter to Congress saying they were prepared to testify if Congress met certain conditions after various appeals against her criminal convictions played out in court. He said she wanted to testify in person rather than from prison, that she wanted assurance that her testimony before Congress would not be used against her, and that she wanted to know the questions ahead of time.
Maxwell would also be willing to speak to Congress if President Trump grants clemency, her lawyer added.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-New Mexico) told reporters after her deposition that Maxwell had made it clear that she had asked President Trump for clemency because of her silence.
“This was essentially an attempt to secure a pardon by keeping her quiet,” Stansbury said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
