Convicted teenager involved in sex trafficking, Ghislaine Maxwell, is set to testify before a US congressional committee next month. Despite her previous connections with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and her current federal prison sentence, Maxwell intends to exercise her right to silence during the virtual appearance on February 9.
James Comer, the committee chairman, confirmed Maxwell’s legal team’s plan to invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination. The committee has been pursuing Maxwell for a deposition, following pressure from Democrats to take action against her and US Attorney General Pam Bondi for delays in releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
While Maxwell’s attorney stated her willingness to comply with the subpoena, they indicated her intent to remain silent during the proceedings. Despite efforts to negotiate immunity in exchange for her testimony, the committee has not granted her request.
In a recent meeting, Comer announced the deposition date for Maxwell, along with plans to advance contempt of Congress resolutions against Bill and Hillary Clinton for their refusal to testify regarding their associations with Epstein. The Clintons have contested the subpoenas, claiming they lack legislative purpose and have been cooperating through legal representatives.
The Oversight Committee’s investigation into Epstein’s network and the government’s handling of related records has sparked criticism of the Justice Department’s lack of transparency. Only a small fraction of the mandated documents have been disclosed, raising concerns about protecting victims’ identities and ongoing criminal probes.
Maxwell’s unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court in October has left her conviction standing. Representative Robert Garcia, a Democratic committee member, accused the Justice Department of favoring Maxwell, alleging a cover-up in her case. Despite ongoing pressure, Maxwell has evaded testifying, prompting calls to end the alleged cover-up and ensure accountability in the investigation.