On Thursday, Ghislaine Maxwell will negotiate a settlement with the people that she harmed with the DOJ. She is best known as the former associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The purpose of the meeting will be to gather information from her. We are most interested in all information she possesses regarding those who sexually exploited minors associated with Epstein. Maxwell is awaiting sentence in a US federal correctional institution in Tallahassee, Florida, for the next 20 years. In late 2021, Maxwell was found guilty on several counts for her part in recruiting and prepping teen girls for Epstein’s sexual exploitation.
In August 2019, officials declared Epstein’s death a suicide. He was detained in a federal detention center in lower Manhattan at the time of this horrible event. His arrest on child sex trafficking charges earlier that month sent the media into a frenzy. This shock was accentuated by the fact that he had pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution in Florida. Even with the ongoing and serious nature of these allegations, conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s relationships with influential and powerful men have run rampant.
As it happens, the DOJ has just issued a new guidance memo. It distills all of their conclusions from a careful read through the facts collected through investigations into Epstein. However, as detailed within the memo, investigators could not find any incriminating “client list” or credible evidence that Epstein had ever blackmailed anyone powerful. The memo further confirmed the medical examiner’s prior findings that Epstein’s death was a suicide.
“One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims. Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.” – DOJ memo
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said that meeting with Maxwell would help inform prosecution of other perpetrators. His background as a former criminal defense attorney for Donald Trump really deepens the drama. This intrigue is compounded by the fact that Trump had clear connections with Epstein prior to their public falling out.
“If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say,” – Todd Blanche
The same DOJ that professes to be committed to transparency has chosen to keep these key documents under wraps in the Epstein case. This decision goes against previous commitments to release this information to the public. The agency told us that it would not release any additional information about Epstein’s case unless it is appropriate or warranted.
The memo further made clear that investigators were unable to find evidence supporting theories that more uncharged persons participated in Epstein’s actions.
“We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.” – DOJ memo
The persistent questions surrounding Epstein’s life and death have fueled imagination and conspiracy kitchen deepens. His ability to establish relationships with just about every powerful person has created an overwhelming wave of public interest. Yet this case has already resulted in profound legal and reputational harm to Maxwell.