Ghislaine Maxwell is making a new attempt to challenge her conviction by claiming that an ‘Epstein loophole’ should have shielded her from prosecution.
The case involving Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced in recent weeks due to the Trump administration’s unexpected decision not to release all FBI files related to the case as previously indicated.
The controversy centers around a rumored ‘client list’ which has sparked public outrage. Earlier this month, the FBI denied the existence of such a list, despite previous comments by Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that seemed to reference it.
Maxwell, who was a close associate of Epstein, remains in prison. The President of the United States has directed the Department of Justice to disclose all grand jury testimonies related to Epstein’s case.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender who had intermittent romantic ties with Maxwell, was discovered dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. He had been detained earlier that year and was awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. Epstein’s death at age 66 was ruled a suicide.
In 2022, Maxwell received a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted by a jury for recruiting teenage girls for Epstein, a known sex offender.
The jury found her guilty on several counts, including sex trafficking of minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activities, and conspiracy to transport a minor for criminal sexual activities.
Additionally, Maxwell was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and transporting a minor for criminal sexual purposes.
“This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law and it is never too late for justice. We again express our gratitude to Epstein and Maxwell’s victims for their courage in coming forward, in testifying at trial, and in sharing their stories as part of today’s sentencing,” US Attorney Damian Williams stated at the time.
On Monday (July 28), Maxwell filed an appeal with the Supreme Court seeking to have her sex trafficking conviction overturned, citing a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein that she claims should have prevented her prosecution.
Her legal team argues that the federal government breached its agreement not to charge Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators, Maxwell included.
This argument hinges on Epstein’s 2008 plea deal on charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution, which Maxwell’s lawyers assert applies across the United States, not solely in Florida.
Following the Trump administration’s unexpected reversal regarding the Epstein files, the President has frequently faced questions about the late financier.
Speculation has persisted that the files include an alleged ‘client list’ involving the wealthy and influential, yet the FBI has declared that there is no ‘incriminating client list’.
In response to press inquiries about the situation, Trump has denied visiting Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James.
During a press briefing on Monday (July 28), Trump remarked: “By the way, I never went to the island. And Bill Clinton went there, supposedly, 28 times.”
He added, “I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island.”