Refusing to Testify While Seeking Mercy
Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, declined to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee on Monday, repeatedly invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence in Texas for sex trafficking, appeared via video link for the deposition as lawmakers pressed for answers tied to renewed investigations into Epstein’s abuse network.
Clemency Offer Sparks Backlash
Through her attorney, David Oscar Markus, Maxwell made a striking offer: if granted clemency by President Donald Trump, she would be willing to testify that neither Trump nor former President Bill Clinton engaged in wrongdoing related to Epstein. Markus said Maxwell was prepared to speak “fully and honestly” under those conditions, arguing that the public deserved clarity. The proposal was swiftly rejected by lawmakers from both parties, who accused Maxwell of trying to trade testimony for freedom. Several members publicly condemned the idea, insisting she must cooperate without conditions.
Legal Appeals and Renewed Attention
Maxwell continues to challenge her conviction, despite the Supreme Court rejecting her appeal last year. In December, her legal team asked a federal judge to review what they describe as new evidence and alleged constitutional violations during her trial. That ongoing effort, her attorney said, is why she refused to answer questions during the deposition. The White House pointed to past remarks suggesting a presidential pardon is unlikely. Meanwhile, the release of millions of Epstein-related documents has brought renewed focus on Maxwell’s role, as investigators attempt to uncover how Epstein was able to abuse girls, some as young as 11, over many years.
