Ghislaine Maxwell has reportedly been involved in discussions concerning about 100 individuals linked to Jeffrey Epstein, while Donald Trump has discussed his potential authority to pardon her.
The former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender, has come under scrutiny again as she seeks to appeal her conviction. Maxwell, who remains incarcerated following her 2021 conviction for child sex trafficking related to Epstein, recently met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide information on approximately 100 people.
From a courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, Maxwell spoke to Blanche amidst the Department of Justice’s efforts to manage the public reaction to its handling of the Epstein case files. Her attorney mentioned that she was questioned about numerous individuals.
David Oscar Markus confirmed after the meeting that Maxwell was queried about “100 different people” in connection with Epstein, who died in his jail cell in 2019.
Markus noted that his client was forthcoming, stating she was asked “every possible thing you could imagine – everything,” as reported by the Daily Beast.
This interview occurs as the Trump administration faces increasing pressure to release the complete Epstein files, which are speculated to include an alleged “client list” of wealthy and influential individuals.
Five months after hinting that the Epstein files were on her desk, Attorney General Pam Bondi later claimed that such a client list never existed.
The Department of Justice also stated earlier this month that no such list exists and added it would not release additional files related to the case.
The President defended the decision, stating that Bondi “handled it very well” and expressed his trust in her judgement.
“[I]t’s going to be up to her whatever she thinks is credible, she should release,” Trump said in response to criticism, asserting that all “the credible information has been given.”
However, this week, the Trump administration announced plans to release all FBI files, including grand jury testimony connected to the case, marking a shift in stance.
Trump further surprised audiences when asked whether he would consider pardoning or commuting Maxwell’s sentence.
In a conversation with a Fox News reporter, Trump stated: “It’s something I haven’t thought about. It’s something – I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about.”
Many have since noted that Trump seemed to deflect the question and did not explicitly rule out the possibility of granting her a pardon.
“Not witness tampering at all! I just mentioned pardons for no reason! Look! Squirrel!” commented one user on Reddit.
Another suggested that if Trump were to pardon Maxwell, it would be “another impeachable thing.”
Four years ago, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of enticing teenage girls to Epstein.
She was also convicted of sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel for illegal sexual acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor for criminal sexual activity.
Maxwell’s legal team has consistently argued against her conviction, claiming she should have been covered by a non-prosecution agreement previously made between Epstein and the U.S. government.
All her requests for a retrial have been rejected by federal courts.