By M10News U.S. Desk|Crime News|30 July 2025
Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has issued a warning through her legal team that she will refuse to testify before the U.S. Congress unless she is granted immunity and a series of legal protections.
Her attorney informed the House Oversight Committee that Maxwell would invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if compelled to answer questions regarding her association with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier accused of running a vast sex trafficking network involving underage girls.
The development comes as congressional investigators continue to examine Epstein’s connections to powerful figures and as public demand intensifies for greater transparency into how his operations remained shielded for years.
Maxwell’s legal representative, David Oscar Markus, made it clear in a letter to Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer that testifying without legal safeguards could endanger her ongoing appeal and compromise her right to a fair trial should new charges arise.
Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida federal prison, was convicted in 2021 for her role in recruiting and grooming minors for Epstein. Her legal team is currently pursuing an appeal at the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that her conviction was marred by constitutional violations, improper jury conduct, and media-fueled prejudice.
Markus argued that any congressional questioning must take those legal efforts into account, stating that Maxwell is open to cooperating, but only “if a fair and safe path forward can be established.”
Among the conditions laid out by her defense team is a firm request that Maxwell not be required to appear in person at the federal facility where she is being held. Instead, she would prefer to answer written questions or participate remotely.
Her attorneys have also demanded that any questioning be delayed until her legal appeals are fully resolved and that Congress provide all questions in advance, enabling Maxwell to review relevant documents before responding.
However, the Oversight Committee has already indicated that it will not consider offering immunity to Maxwell.
A spokesperson for the committee told M10News that while they will formally respond to the letter soon, they have ruled out any special legal protections as part of her potential testimony.
Maxwell has remained a central figure in the Epstein scandal, having denied wrongdoing throughout the trial and continuing to maintain her innocence. In a rare legal move, she recently participated in a closed-door proffer session with the U.S. Department of Justice. That interview, which took place over two days at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee, provided her limited immunity for anything she disclosed—so long as the statements were truthful.
The session was reportedly led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and focused on Epstein’s network, including individuals who had previously escaped public scrutiny.
Her attorney described the interview as comprehensive, noting that Maxwell was asked about “every possible thing you could imagine.” While she cannot be prosecuted based on what she revealed in that setting, false or misleading information could still expose her to new charges, particularly perjury.
The congressional investigation into Epstein’s dealings has continued to gain momentum despite his death in federal custody in 2019.
Although officials ruled his death a suicide, widespread doubts remain due to multiple procedural failures and missing surveillance footage. Chairman Comer has said his committee remains committed to identifying all those connected to Epstein and ensuring that accountability extends beyond those already convicted.
Maxwell’s legal maneuvers suggest that she is trying to navigate the shifting legal landscape carefully, possibly preserving her options for a sentence reduction or future cooperation agreement. But for now, she is drawing a hard line: without immunity, she will not testify. Her lawyer reiterated that Maxwell’s willingness to engage hinges on constitutional fairness and the protection of her rights.
Editing by M10News U.S. Desk | Contact: usdesk@m10news.com
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